Home → County Living ( June 3, 2026 )
Below is a summary of the speech by Mike Maxwell of the American Legion Post 86:
Freedom is not free – praying for all that have passed and their families.
Today, on this Memorial Day in Susquehanna, we gather with grateful hearts to honor the brave men and women who answered the call to serve our nation. We remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice so that we may live in freedom, peace, and hope.
We also celebrate our veterans – the heroes among us – whose courage, sacrifice and devotion have protected the values we hold dear. Their service did not end when they returned home; their legacy continues in the strength of our communities, the freedoms we enjoy, and the example they set for future generations.
On this sacred day of remembrance, may we never forget the cost of liberty. May we stand united in gratitude, pride, and respect for all who have worn the uniform of the United States Armed Forces.
To our veterans and to the families who have carried the burdens of service alongside them – thank you. Your sacrifices will always be remembered, and your service will forever be honored.
God bless our veterans, God bless our fallen heroes, and God bless America.
Susquehanna County Nurse Honor Guard float, pictured (l-r) are: driver Mark Kotar, Betty Tompkins, Andrea Paccio-Quezada, Judy Wanatt-Behanick, Elly Kotar, Mary Mushala; top of float Shirley Decker
Andrea and Judy displaying the Nurse Honor Guard banner
Rear of the Susquehanna County Nurse Honor Guard float
Pictured behind speaker Adjutant Mike Maxwell (l-r) are dignitaries: Judge Jason Legg, Commissioner Allan Hall, Sheriff John Oliver, Susquehanna Mayor Dennis Gow Jr, Pastor Vince Chiaramonte.
Pictured (l-r) during speeches are: Judge Jason Legg, Commissioner Allan Hall, Sheriff John Oliver, Susquehanna Mayor Dennis Gow Jr, Pastor Vince Chiaramonte.
The American Red Cross has an urgent need for donors and is counting on people to act now and book a time to give lifesaving blood or platelets. Donors of all blood types are essential in keeping the blood supply strong enough to withstand summer challenges.
Scheduled donations, which account for 90% of all blood donations, have dropped sharply in recent weeks. As a result, the blood supply has fallen by several thousand units in just a week, raising concerns that the decline could worsen as we enter trauma season. This period between Memorial Day and Labor Day brings an increase in severe injuries from car accidents, ATV crashes, sports-related injuries and other summer activities. In fact, AAA reports that fatal crashes involving teen drivers rise by 30% during this time, often called the “100 deadliest days.” A single person injured in a serious car accident can require up to 100 units of blood.
“For a person suffering from severe bleeding – and the emergency medical responders caring for them – stopping the bleeding and stabilizing them is a race against an unforgiving clock,” says Dr. Emily Coberly, medical director for the Red Cross. “Every minute matters. For each minute that passes without blood transfusion, the risk of death increases by 11% for patients suffering from hemorrhagic shock. That’s why having a readily available blood supply is critical.”
Securing appointments in the coming weeks is critical to maintaining a healthy blood supply for all patients depending on transfusions. Make an appointment to give now by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED-CROSS or by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App.
Those who come to give June 1-28, 2026, will receive a $15 e-gift card to a merchant of choice, plus be automatically entered for a chance to win one of two $7500 gift cards. See RedCrossBlood.org/June for details.
A sharp drop in scheduled donations is especially troubling now, during a season when blood collection can be difficult due to end of the school-year activities, travel and school breaks, as well as severe weather and heat that can disrupt blood drives entirely. Large-scale sporting events in the coming months can also add pressure to the blood supply at a time when every donation is crucial. Now is the time to make and keep blood or platelet donation appointments to ensure blood products are readily available for people living with chronic illness, new mothers, surgery patients and those facing traumatic injuries.
“Every unit of lifesaving blood on an ambulance, emergency medical helicopter or in a hospital didn’t get there by accident. It’s there because someone rolled up their sleeve to give blood,” adds Coberly.
Here’s an important update for our White Elephant Sale donors: the previously announced donation drop-off date of Saturday, June 20th has been canceled. We’re sorry for any inconvenience this may cause, and we hope you’ll still stop by on any of the other scheduled drop-off dates when the donation location is open. As a reminder, donations can be dropped off at Tom Kerr’s old building, next to McDonald’s in Montrose. Your generosity helps make this community favorite a success, and we truly depend on your support.
The White Elephant Sale will be open during the Blueberry Festival on Friday, August 7 and Saturday, August 8 in the Firehall. The Blueberry Festival benefits the Susquehanna County Historical Society and Free Library Association, and every donation helps keep this wonderful tradition going strong. We can also use volunteers during the festival, so if you’d like to lend a hand, we’d love to have you join the fun. Thanks for helping us turn treasured castoffs into festival finds!
The Susquehanna County DOMESTIC RELATIONS Section has outstanding BENCH WARRANTS for the following individuals as of 9:15am on May 29, 2026. Jason J. Carroll, Matthew D. Deska, Richard R. Forba, Patrick A. Fournier, Charles M. Lynady III, Kevin Mattocks, Danielle J. Norris, Anthony Popolaski III, Roy M. Wade. Please contact the Domestic Relations Section at 570-278-4600 ext. 4050 with any information on the location of these individuals.
UGI Energy Services LLC to UGI Auburn Gathering LLC for $10.00 in Auburn Township.
UGI Energy Services LLC to UGI Auburn Gathering LLC for $10.00 in Auburn Township.
Housen, George C and Housen, Pamela K (NKA) and Green, Pamela K to Housen, George C for $1.00 in Bridgewater Township.
Graham, Robert H and Graham, Lauretta L to Graham, Robert H and Graham, Lauretta L for $1.00 in Clifford Township.
Kempa, Katherine E to Heeman, Katherine C and Heeman, Dylan for $1.00 in Jackson Township.
Bevan, George Randall and Bevan, William B and Bevan, Elena and Bevan, Daniel A and Bevan, Christine and Bevan, Michael G to Bevan Group LLC for $1.00 in Choconut Township.
Kochick, James and Kochick, Mary T to Kochick, James (Trust) and Kochick, Mary T (Trust) for $1.00 in Auburn Township.
Places Properties LLC to Place, Nathan and Place, Courtney for $1.00 in Bridgewater Township.
Sengun, Atilla and Sengun, Brittany to Tingley, Randi for $225,000.00 in New Milford Borough.
Wright, Jessica L to Humphry, Brittany B for $30,000.00 in Great Bend Borough.
Sheriffs Deed: Susquehanna County and Patton, Zackery Douglas (By Sheriff) to Lake Sheridan Properties LLC for $121,441.00 in Auburn Township.
Vanteger Towing LLC to Squid Holdings Inc for $100,000.00 in Hallstead Borough.
Confirmatory: Zajkowski 2011 Family Trust to Zajkowski 2011 Family Trust for $1.00 in Clifford Township.
Petithomme, Shirley and Vazquez, Awilda to Gervais, Philipe and Gervais, Miachaune for $252,400.00 in New Milford Township.
Scanlin, Patricia A and Scanlin, Sheila M to Scanlin, Patricia A and Greer, Valerie Jane and Gleason, Colleen Marie for $1.00 in Forest Lake Township.
Gallagher, Edward P (Estate) to Gallagher, Patrick and Gallagher, Elissia for $1.00 in Jessup Township.