Home → County Living ( February 25, 2026 )
While the holiday seasons are behind us and many looking with anticipation of a happy, healthy 2026, not everyone can say that. There are a variety of reasons many of our community members are struggling. Could you imagine having to leave your home suddenly with only the clothes on your back? No, it isn’t due to a flood or a fire. Many women must do this every day to save themselves and their children from domestic violence. This unfortunately, happens regularly to families in our area and across the United States. Supporting women and children has always been a goal of The Beta Rho Chapter of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International (DKG).
Pictured is Matt Maurer, legal advocate at the Women’s Resource Center, picking up donations at the chairman of the committee, Teresa Cavalier’s home.
Again this year, the chapter donated purses/tote bags filled with personal items such as deodorant, shampoo, lotions, nail files, refillable water bottles, note pads, pens, masks, wipes, protein bars and snacks to WRC (Women’s and Victim’s Resource Centers in Susquehanna County). These are then available to be given to any victims who go to the centers.
Through the generosity of its members, the chapter collected sixteen filled purses/totes at their recent meeting at the Susquehanna Community Library in Montrose. In addition, members donated $325 to the center to support the needs of women. Matt Maurer who is a new employee at the center, picked up the donations and expressed so much appreciation to receive the donations and to have them available to pass on. It provides a bright spot for women facing otherwise very difficult, heart wrenching situations.
Teresa Cavalier, Personal Growth and Services Chair, along with her committee Pat Arnold, April Piasecki, and Kathy Tuttle of the Beta Rho Chapter, organized the purse/tote bag project. In the past, the chapter has also packed children’s backpacks for the resource center and baskets of cleaning supplies to donate to the centers as well as diapers for the diaper drive at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Montrose. The chapter also donates pasta and sauce annually to the Summer Lunchbox Program.
DKG is an international Society of women educators whose mission is to promote personal and professional growth of women educators and excellence in education. Beta Rho Chapter members represent Adams, Bradford, Lackawanna, Pike, Susquehanna and Wyoming Counties.
Wayne Memorial Hospital (WMH) has established a partnership with the Adalyn Rose Foundation (ARF) in providing compassionate care and comfort to families during and after the loss of a child. ARF provides comprehensive and continuous support to families who have lost a baby at any time during pregnancy, infancy, or early childhood.
Pictured are: Katie, Cody and Ella Yedinak, with picture of Hudson John
A dedication, in honor of Hudson John Yedinak was held at WMH Friday, February 6th, along with gentle training for maternity staff, social workers, and chaplains. Hudson is the son of Katie and Cody Yedinak of Greentown and brother to eight-year-old Ella. He passed away shortly after birth last June.
In memory of Hudson, the family stocked a Remembrance Cart for WMH with meaningful items and resources for newly bereaved families to gently guide them in making memories with their babies. Families are often shocked and unprepared. “I appreciated it so much,” explained Katie. “Having a resource was, and still is, so helpful.” The Remembrance Cart also includes Max’s Angel Closet with sleeper gowns, name plates and more for keepsakes. The cart will be maintained and stocked by ARF and the Yedinak family.
“We’re glad to be partnering with the Adalyn Rose Foundation,” said Mary Beth Dastalfo, RN, BSN, Clinical Coordinator, New Beginnings Birthing Suites at WMH. “It will provide us with resources and guidance that we did not have in the past. The families we provide care for will definitely benefit from this partnership as well.” For more information about ARF, visit adalynrose.org.
The United Way of Susquehanna County is thrilled to announce a brand-new initiative designed to celebrate academic excellence and school spirit: the first-ever County-Wide Spelling Bee. Students from all six local school districts are currently gearing up for a competition that promises to be as educational as it is exciting.
The competition is open to students in the fourth and fifth grades, but each grade level will enjoy a slightly different competition format:
Each of the six school districts will host its own internal spelling bee to determine local champions. To make the victory even sweeter, the United Way will provide exciting prizes for the winners at every school.
However, the stakes get even higher for the fifth graders. The top three spellers from each school’s 5th-grade competition will qualify to represent their district at the County-Wide Grand Finale. This ultimate showdown will take place on March 26th, where the county's best young spellers will compete for a grand prize of $1,000.
The United Way is actively seeking the support of local community members and alumni who believe in the power of educational competition. Sponsoring this event is a fantastic way for Susquehanna County graduates to give back to the next generation of scholars and help foster a culture of academic achievement.
“We want to show our students that working hard in the classroom is just as worth celebrating as any touchdown or home run,” said Tom Follert, Regional Community Director of the United Way. “This event is about more than just words; it’s about building confidence and community pride.”
For more information on the competition, full rules, or to learn how you can become a sponsor for this event, please visit the official program website at: https://unitedwayofsusquehannacounty.org/programs/spellingbee/
Mark your calendars for March 26th and get ready to cheer on our local students as they compete for the title of Susquehanna County Spelling Bee Champion!
Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity announced that expanded eligibility for the PA ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) Savings Program is officially in effect. As of January 1, Pennsylvanians whose qualifying disability began prior to the age of 46 are eligible to open a PA ABLE account. Previously, eligibility was for individuals whose disability began before age 26.
This change, made possible by the ABLE Age Adjustment Act, opens the door for an estimated six million additional Americans – including approximately one million Veterans – to benefit from ABLE savings accounts nationwide.
“This marks a major step toward financial independence and security for our friends and neighbors with disabilities,” Treasurer Garrity said. “With this eligibility expansion now in place, more Pennsylvanians can save for their future without risking critical benefits. PA ABLE is about opportunity, dignity, and increasing independence, and I’m thrilled more Pennsylvanians will be able to enjoy the benefits of this life-changing program.”
PA ABLE accounts allow Pennsylvanians with disabilities and their families to save tax-free without impacting eligibility for important benefits such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Earnings grow tax-free, and withdrawals for qualified disability-related expenses are exempt from state and federal taxes.
The contribution limit for PA ABLE accounts is $20,000, and Pennsylvania residents can deduct up to $19,000 per year in PA ABLE contributions from their state income taxes. PA ABLE assets are also exempt from Pennsylvania inheritance tax.
Since opening its first accounts in 2017, following the passage of legislation championed by Sen. Lisa Baker (R-20), PA ABLE has grown to become the fifth largest ABLE program in the nation, with more than 11,500 accounts and over $185 million saved.
“PA ABLE accounts have already made a meaningful difference in the lives of so many Pennsylvanians,” Treasurer Garrity said. “I encourage everyone to explore how this financial tool can provide security and stability for themselves or their loved ones.”
Since taking office, Treasurer Garrity has reduced PA ABLE account fees six times. She was a strong advocate for the ABLE Age Adjustment Act, and the inaugural chair of the ABLE Savings Plans Network which works to strengthen ABLE programs on a national level.
To learn more about program eligibility and how to start saving with PA ABLE, visit: paable.gov; email info@paable.gov, or call 855-529-2253.
No matter your garden style you are likely to find a place for this year’s Perennial Plant of the Year, Blackhawks big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii ‘Blackhawks’). You’ll enjoy the beauty it adds to your gardens and low maintenance it requires to thrive.
This cultivar of our native big bluestem provides vertical interest, motion and bold color to the landscape. Its leaves start out dark green and develop reddish-purple tips throughout the growing season. Flowers appear in August and by September the leaves and stems of the plant turn a deep purple hue.
Blackhawks big bluestem is low maintenance and combines nicely with other perennials (Photo credit: www.MelindaMyers.com)
Hardy in zones 3 to 9, it prefers full sun and adapts to a wide range of soil but may flop in fertile, moist conditions. Once established, it is drought tolerant. Make sure it receives needed moisture and proper care for the first two years while developing its robust, more drought-tolerant root system.
In addition to drought tolerance, Blackhawks big bluestem has no major pests or disease problems. Just cut it back to the ground in late winter before new growth begins. Its overall excellent performance made it one of the top-rated ornamental grasses in the Chicago Botanic Garden’s Evaluation Study of Hardy Ornamental Grasses.
Big bluestem was the dominant grass of the prairies and largely responsible for the formation of prairie sod. This drought-tolerant grass is a host plant for many skippers and provides shelter and food for songbirds. It grows 5 to 8 feet tall and reseeds readily, making it hard for many home gardeners to include in their landscape.
It is smaller in size than the big bluestem species, just 5 feet tall and 24 inches wide, making it more suitable for home landscapes. Use it as a screen, backdrop in garden beds or as part of mixed borders. It combines nicely with other perennials, like Zagreb threadleaf coreopsis, calamint, liatris, Rudbeckia, sedum, asters and more.
Blackhawks big bluestem, like other Perennial Plants of the Year, was selected for its low maintenance, pest and disease resistance and ability to thrive in a wide range of climates. It joins past winners like little bluestem, butterfly weed, Millenium allium, American Goldrush Rudbeckia and Amsonia hubrichtii. These winners are selected by Perennial Plant Association members, which include hundreds of horticulture experts like landscapers, designers, professors, plant breeders, growers, retailers and public garden curators. You can find out more about this nonprofit program and past Perennial Plants of the Year at https://perennialplantoftheyear.com.
Look for opportunities to include this year’s Perennial Plant of the Year in your gardens. You’ll enjoy its beauty and the benefits it provides whether your gardens are informal, naturalistic or a cottage-style.
Melinda Myers has written more than 20 gardening books, including the Midwest Gardener’s Handbook, 2nd Edition and Small Space Gardening. She hosts The Great Courses “How to Grow Anything” streaming courses and the nationally syndicated Melinda’s Garden Moment radio program. Myers is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine and her website is www.MelindaMyers.com.
The Susquehanna County DOMESTIC RELATIONS Section has outstanding BENCH WARRANTS for the following individuals as of 8:45am on February 20, 2026. Lloyd Baker, Richard R. Forba, Patrick E. Leblanc, Charles M. Lynady III, Paul Newhart III, Andrea Noble, Christopher M. Stephens. Please contact the Domestic Relations Section at 570-278-4600 ext. 4050 with any information on the location of these individuals.
Truman, Sandi L to Thompson, Donald and Thompson, Joanne and Repoley, Crystal for $140,000.00 in Dimock Township.
McKenney, Scott Robert (Estate AKA) and McKenney, Scott R (Estate) and McKenney, Brian S and McKenney, Glenn A to McKenney, Jonathan and McKenney, Brian for $60,000.00 in Rush Township.
Heim, William J and Heim, Frances to Teel, Ronald for $250,000.00 in Dimock Township.
Sternberg, Gary (Estate AKA) and Sternberg, Gary G (Estate) to Seecoomar, Julian A and Smith, Natalie J for $380,000.00, two locations in Great Bend Township.
Ridgetop Ten LLC and RT Fin 2023 LLC and Epsilon L Hardic 2H and Taylor Unit 1H(V) and Jayne N Sus 1H and Yvonne 5HC and Taylor B-2HX and Taylor B-3HX and K Zupp 1 and Busik J 001 Comp1 and Busik J 008 Comp1 and Thomas R 006 Comp1 and Tsourous A 001 Comp1 and Tsourous A 003 Comp1 and Haynes W 001 Comp1 and Haynes W 003 Comp1 and Haynes W 005 Comp1 and Haynes 007 Comp1 and Powers M 004 Comp1 and Powers M 006 Comp1 and Powers M 008 Comp1 and Powers M 010 Comp1 and Powers M 012 Comp1 and Powers M 014 Comp1 and Carey R 004 Comp1 and Carey R 006 Comp1 and Carey R 008 Comp1 and Busik J 003 Comp1 and Busik J 004 Comp1 and Busik J 024 Comp1 and Busik J 006 Comp1 and Busik J 018 Comp1 and Busik J 020 Comp1 and
Austin E 003 Comp1 and Jayne N Sus and North Valentine-Price 3H and Barkem Squirrel 5H and Barkem Squirrel 6H and Lyncott Corp 3H and Barkem Squirrel 7H and Lyncott Corp 4H and Lyncott Corp 7H and Lyncott Corp 1H and Lyncott Corp 5H and Lyncott Corp 6H and Barkem Squirrel 1H GU and Barkem Squirrel 2H and Barkem Squirrel 3H and King Southeast 3H and Nowicki North 3H and Buckhorn North 1H and King Southeast 7H and King Southeast 8H and Buckhorn North 2H and Buckhorn North 3H and Nowicki North 1H and Nowicki North 2H and Nowicki North 5H and Nowicki North 6H and Four Bucks North 12H and Gardner/Viper and Milton O&G and Olver and Grover and Tracy Stone and Steinhoff and Hinkle and Roman 6H and Roman 5H and Roman 3H and Roman 7H and Roman 1H and Mitchell 7H and Mitchell 8H and Conklin East 10 H and Busik J 030 and Busik J 032 and Busik J 034 and Clapper 21HC and Clapper 22HC and Coyle South 1H and Coyle South 5H and Coyle South 3H and Carty 2H and Carty 4H and Carty 6H to Pegasus Appalachia LLC for $3,271,663.75, two locations in Dimock Township, two in Rush Township, one in Harford Township, one in Lenox Township, one in Oakland Township, one in Lathrop Township, one in Liberty Township, one in Great Bend Township and one in New Milford Township.
Bolles, Adam J and Bolles, Kayla A to Bolles, Adam J for $1.00 in Liberty Township.
MacDonald, Linda (Estate) to Krawchek, Danielle and Centofante, Kristy and Handy, Colleen for $1.00 in Dimock Township.
Roettenbacher, Keith to Orthouse, James for $184,988.00 in Franklin Township.
Heimbrook, Jesse and Heimbrook, Stephanie to Heimbrook, Stephanie for $1.00 in Clifford Township.
Terry, Walter Jay and Terry, Brenda to Gravey, Patrick Wright Jr for $70,000.00 in Herrick Township.
Corrective: 513 Lackawanna LLC (AKA) and 513 Lackawanna Ave LLC to 513 Lackawanna Ave LLC for $1.00 in Forest City.
NewMakeOver LLC to Brooks, Abbey-Gale Makada and Hanik, Michael Charles IV for $358,000.00 in Clifford Township.
DeMarinis, Christine to MacMillan, Ian and MacMillan, Sarah for $305,000.00 in Lenox Township.
Martin, Max E Jr (AKA) and Martin, Max Earl Jr and Martin, Joann L to Bremer Hof Owners Inc for $100.00 in Herrick Township.
Jackson, Frederick and Jackson, Carol to Bremer Hof Owners Inc for $100.00 in Herrick Township.
Conrad, Nancy Alice (Estate AKA) and Conrad, Nancy A (Estate AKA) and Conrad, Nancy (Estate) to Buckingham, Brittney for $1.00 in Dimock Township.
Conrad, Nancy Alice (Estate AKA) and Conrad, Nancy A (Estate AKA) and Conrad, Nancy (Estate) to Buckingham, Brittney for $1.00 in Dimock Township.
Robinson, Lisa Lyman to Salinas, Zackary for $70,000.00 in Springville Township.
Ose, Jean E and Ose, Michael to Shaw, Virginia H for $30,000.00 in Dimock Township.
Miller, Larry to H&R Real Estate Holdings LLC for $175,000.00 in Forest Lake Township.
Reynolds, Julia (Estate) to Tomascik, John M Jr for $95,000.00 in Middletown Township.
Montrose Machine Works Inc to Diaz Family Limited Partnership for $0.00 in Bridgewater Township.
Following are December, 2025 sentences as handed down by Susquehanna County Court.
Francisco Vasquez, 28, of Windsor, NY to 6 months of probation, the first 5 days of which shall be served on home confinement, pay a $300 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $25 EMS fee, pay $150 PA Department of Transportation Trust Fund fee, pay $100 Act 198 fee, obtain a drug and alcohol evaluation, complete the Alcohol Highway Safe Driving School Program, not to utilize alcohol or controlled substances while on supervision, not to enter any establishment whose primary purpose is the sale of alcohol, submit to random drug and alcohol screenings, complete a CRN evaluation, abide by the standard terms and conditions of supervision for Driving Under the Influence on October 20, 2024 in Jessup Township.
Zachary Dean Swire, 34, of Oneonta, NY to 5 years of probation, to run concurrent with Wyoming County's sentence, pay a $500 fine, pay cot of prosecution, $50 Criminal Justice Enforcement Act fee, submit a DNA sample for Fleeing or Attempting to Elude the Police on November 25, 2024 in Choconut Township.
Brock Tyler Freer, 48, of Forestport, NY to 2 days to 6 months incarceration, with credit for time served, pay a $300 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $100 Act 198 fee for Driving While Under the Influence on March 21, 2021 in New Milford Borough.
Tyler Christopher Fiske, 53, of Hallstead, PA to 24 months of probation, the first 60 days of which shall be served on home confinement, pay a $100 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Act fee, pay restitution to the Victim in this case, continue with drug and alcohol treatment, not to utilize alcohol or controlled substances while on supervision, not to enter any establishment whose primary purpose is the sale of alcohol, submit to random drug and alcohol screenings, not to possess any firearms while on supervision, submit a DNA sample, abide by the standard terms and conditions of supervision for Receiving Stolen Property on March 6, 2025 in Hallstead Borough. Mr. was also ordered to pay a $100 fine, the cost of prosecution and pay the $100 Act 198 fee for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia on April 3, 2025 in Hallstead Borough.
Robert William Staff, 56, of Springville, PA to 24 months of probation, to run concurrent with any sentence currently being served, pay a $100 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Act fee, obtain a drug and alcohol evaluation, not to utilize alcohol or controlled substances while on supervision, not to enter any establishment whose primary purpose is the sale of alcohol, submit to random drug and alcohol screenings, abide by the standard terms and conditions of supervision for Tampering with Physical Evidence on August 11, 2025 in Springville Township.
The following were accepted into the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition Program: Storm A Visage.