County Living

As a partner of the Food Insecurity Council of Susquehanna County, United Way has recognized a growing need for resources to support local food pantries during the holiday season. Over the past two years, we have supplemented local pantries with a growing number of additional meals for the holidays. Each meal provides families with chicken, stuffing, gravy, vegetables, macaroni and cheese, fruit cocktail and cereal – offering an opportunity to enjoy a comforting, traditional holiday dinner. Combined with support from the Weinberg Regional Food Bank, these meals bring hope, dignity and a sense of normalcy to families experiencing hardship.

This year, we're doing it again – and aiming higher. Our goal is to provide at least 1,250 meals to families in Susquehanna County and we have exciting ways for the community to get involved while having fun.

First, generous friends are hosting the First Annual "Friends Giving Poker Run" on November 8. Special thanks to C2G for serving as our event host. Register here to join the fun: https://unitedwayofsusquehannacounty.org/pokerrun/.

Participants will enjoy a memorable day traveling through Susquehanna County with raffle baskets, games, great food and more – all supporting a meaningful cause.

Second, AllOne Give Day takes place on December 2, and this year all funds raised will directly support our partnership with the Weinberg Regional Food Pantry and our Holiday Meal Campaign. Throughout AllOne Give Day, we have opportunities to earn additional matching funds and bonus awards, allowing your contribution to go even further in helping local families.

As you consider your holiday giving this season, we hope you'll think of us. Together, we can uplift our neighbors in need and create a truly joyful holiday experience for families in our community.

The Community Foundation of the Endless Mountains, a division of Commonwealth Charitable Management, Inc., is pleased to announce the establishment of The Overture Fund, created by Charles Cesaretti to support the mission and programs of the Susquehanna Symphony Society. Through this fund, Charles Cesaretti seeks to support young musicians as they refine their music education and performance skills as they begin their future journeys.

"Musically, an overture is a prelude to a larger work," said Cesaretti. "This fund represents that same spirit of beginning, helping young performers take their first steps toward a lifelong pursuit of music."

By providing vital financial support, The Overture Fund will help sustain the Susquehanna Symphony Society's performances, educational outreach and special projects that enrich both musicians and audiences. It stands as a lasting tribute to the belief that music has the power to inspire, connect and elevate individuals and communities alike.

Contributions to The Overture Fund may be made through the Community Foundation of the Endless Mountains by visiting https://community-foundation.org/fund/the-overture-fund/.

The Community Foundation of the Endless Mountains, a division of Commonwealth Charitable Management, Inc., helps individuals, families, and organizations establish charitable funds that strengthen and sustain our region. Since its founding, the Foundation has supported a wide range of philanthropic initiatives across Northeastern Pennsylvania and beyond.

Sen. Gene Yaw (R-23), chairman of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, along with several members of the Senate Republican Caucus, sent a letter to PJM Interconnection urging the mid-Atlantic grid operator to reject recent recommendations that would overhaul their competitive market structure and prioritize wind and solar projects ahead of the planned phase-out of federal tax incentives.

"Competitive energy markets have delivered reliable, affordable power to millions of PJM consumers for decades," said Yaw. "State mandates and artificial price controls distort those markets, discourage investment and ultimately drive-up costs. PJM should remain focused on preserving the current structure and reject these misguided and short-sighted recommendations that undermine reliability and affordability."

The letter, addressed to PJM President and CEO Manu Asthana, responds directly to the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators' September 29th letter, which called for PJM to accelerate the connection of wind and solar projects. Yaw and his colleagues warn that favoring these intermittent sources over proven baseload generation resources like natural gas, coal and nuclear would jeopardize grid stability and increase costs for ratepayers.

The legislators encouraged PJM to carefully weigh long-term impacts of any market changes, enact rigorous project feasibility standards and conduct deeper industry analysis before adopting any sweeping changes.

For more state-related news and information, constituents can visit Senator Yaw's website at www.SenatorGeneYaw.com or follow him on Facebook and X @SenatorGeneYaw.

Add unique flare to this winter's indoor garden and décor with double amaryllis. The several layers of colorful petals are sure to make a statement wherever they are displayed.

Start the amaryllis season with early blooming varieties grown in the southern hemisphere. Double Alaska features frilly, fully double white flowers with a lime green center. Order bulbs early, store them in a cool, dry, dark location and plant these early blooming bulbs by November 1st if you want flowers for the holiday.

Keep the color coming throughout the winter by growing a variety of other double amaryllis grown in the Northern hemisphere that begin blooming in January. Plant a few bulbs every three weeks to extend your enjoyment for several months.

Watch the colors change on Double Giant Amadeus amaryllis. The petals start as mostly white with a fine red outline. As the flowers mature, the color intensifies to a blushing pink, coral and salmon.

Grow Double Sweet Nymph (longfield-gardens.com) for a bit of a romantic charm. The layers of creamy white petals are covered with coral pink stripes.

If you like the traditional red amaryllis, you will enjoy the giant red flowers of Double King. Each bulb produces three stems with four or more blooms that open at different times to extend your enjoyment.

The candy cane striped narrow petals of Double Doublet are sure to catch your attention. Each flower is a bit different, adding to its uniqueness. Watch as the three stems grow, producing as many as a dozen flowers from each bulb.

Enjoy weeks of artistic blooms when you grow Double Aphrodite amaryllis. The ruffled white petals have a narrow red edge and lime green center. The fine red brushstrokes that extend from the petal tips add to this amaryllis's charm.

Plant your amaryllis bulbs in a quality potting mix with the top half above the soil surface. Grow a single bulb in a pot that is seven to eight inches deep and five to six inches across with drainage holes. Or group several bulbs together in a larger container. Water the potting mix thoroughly and place the container in a cool sunny location. Continue to water thoroughly but only often enough to keep the soil barely moist.

Add a bit of elegance and ease of care by going soilless. Place several inches of pebbles in the bottom of a glass vase or watertight container. Cover the pebbles with water. Set the bulb on top of the pebbles, adding more stones around the bulb to hold it in place. Leave the top one third of the bulb exposed. Add water as needed to maintain the water level just below the bulb.

Now relax and wait a month or more for your amaryllis bulb to wake up and start growing. Water more often once sprouts appear. Enjoy the transformation as the bulb turns into a flowering plant over the next few weeks.

Growing amaryllis indoors will keep you gardening all year long, providing mood-boosting benefits and stress relief. Plus, the colorful blossoms are sure to brighten your winter days.

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" instant video series and the nationally syndicated Melinda's Garden Moment  radio program. Myers is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine and was commissioned by Longfield Gardens for her expertise to write this article. Her website is www.MelindaMyers.com.

Following are September, 2025 sentences as handed down by Susquehanna County Court.

Chase Barlow McLaud, 34, of Clifford Township, PA to 10 days to 23 months incarceration, pay a $500 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $25 EMS, pay $300 PA Department of Transportation Trust Fund fee, pay $100 Act 198 fee, complete 10 hours of community service, pay $45 supervision fee monthly, 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, abide by the standard terms and conditions of supervision for Driving Under the Influence on August 23, 2024 in Clifford Township.

Ryan Patrick Thomas, 33, of Hallstead, PA to 6 months of probation, pay a $100 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $45 supervision fee monthly, have no contact with the victim in this case, perform 10 hours of community service, abide by the standard terms and conditions of supervision for Harassment on January 30, 2025 in Great Bend Township.

Shelby Clare Giacobbe, 32, of Jessup, PA to 18 months of probation, to run concurrent with any Lackawanna County sentence, pay a $50 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Act fee, pay $45 supervision fee monthly, 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, obtain a mental health evaluation, abide by the standard terms and conditions of supervision for Evading Arrest on Foot on May 8, 2025 in Forest City Borough.

Adam Dixon, 32, of Cannan, PA to 6 months of probation, the first 60 days of which shall be served on home confinement, pay a $750 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $25 EMS, pay $150 PA Transportation Trust Fund fee, pay $100 Act 198,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, be subject to random drug and alcohol screenings, perform 10 hours of community service, abide by the standard terms and conditions of supervision for Driving Under the Influence on July 5, 2024 in Forest City Borough.

Rose Alice Horigan, 53, of Jackson Township, PA to 12 months of probation, pay a $200 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Act fee, pay $45 supervision fee monthly, submit a DNA sample and pay the applicable $250 fee, complete 10 hours of community service, abide by the standard terms and conditions of supervision for Theft by Unlawful Taking on October 15, 2024 in Gibson Township.

Joel Williams Warner, 30, of Honesdale, PA to 18 months of probation, to run concurrent with any sentence currently being served, pay a $1,000 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $45 supervision fee monthly, complete 10 hours of community service, 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 firearms, abide by the standard terms and conditions of supervision for Unsworn Falsification on September 13, 2024 in Liberty Township.

Robert Kenneth Mitchell, 59, of Factoryville, PA to 12 months to 24 months in a state correctional facility, pay a $50 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Act fee, pay restitution to the Victims, submit a DNA sample for Deceptive Business Practices on September 11, 2022 in New Milford Township.

Mathew Joseph Conklin, 23, of Conklin, NY to 4 months to 23 months incarceration, with credit for time served, pay a $50 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, obtain a mental health evaluation, not to possess firearms while on supervision, submit a DNA sample, abide by the standard terms and conditions of supervision for Criminal Attempt/Theft by Unlawful Taking on May 15, 2025 in Great Bend Township. Mr. Conklin was also Ordered to pay a $25 fine, pay the cost of prosecution and pay restitution to the Victim for Retail Theft on May 15, 2025 in Great Bend Township.

Keith L Edwards, Jr, 46, of Clifford, PA to 21 months to 42 months in a state correctional facility, with credit for time served, pay a $50 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Act fee, submit a DNA sample, comply with standard terms and conditions of state parole/probation for Failure to Register on March 10, 2023 in Clifford Township.

Crystal Nell Horrocks, 25, of Montrose, PA to 4 months to 23 months incarceration, with credit for time served, pay a $50 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Act fee, complete 10 hours of community service, 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, obtain a mental health evaluation, not to possess firearms, abide by the standard terms and conditions of supervision for Evading Arrest on August 25, 2023 in Rush Township. Ms. Horrocks was also sentenced to 9 months to 23 months incarceration, to run concurrent with the above sentence, pay a $50 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Act fee, complete 10 hours of community service, 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, obtain a mental health evaluation, not to possess firearms, submit a DNA sample, complete a GED program, abide by the standard terms and conditions of supervision for Flight to Avoid Apprehension on October 10, 2023 in Bridgewater Township. Lastly, Ms. Horrocks was sentenced to 24 months of probation, to run consecutive to the above sentences, pay a $50 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Act fee, complete 10 hours of community service, 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, obtain a mental health evaluation, not to possess firearms, abide by the standard terms and conditions of supervision for Flight to Avoid Apprehension on December 18, 2024 in Rush Township.

Brandon Lee Sherman, 31, of Montrose, PA to 5 months to 23 months in a state correctional facility, with credit for time served, pay a $50 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Act fee, pay restitution to the Victim, submit a DNA sample for Theft by Deception on June 7, 2024 in Dimock Township. Mr. Sherman was also sentenced to 2 months to 23 months in a state correctional facility to run concurrent with the above sentence, with credit for time served, pay a $50 fine, pay the cost of prosecution, pay $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Act fee, pay restitution to the Victim in this case, submit a DNA sample for Bad Checks on July 29, 2024 in Dimock Township.

AHC Enterprises, of Forest City, PA to pay a $1,000 fine and the cost of prosecution for Substantial Misrepresentation of Fact, pay a $1,000 fine and the cost of prosecution for Engaging in Unprofessional Conduct and, pay a $1,000 fine and the cost of prosecution for Violating Any Provisions of Board of Vehicles. All of these arise from an incident on February 27, 2023 in Forest City Borough.

Christian Jesus Ortiz, 25, of Carbondale, PA to pay a $100 fine, pay the cost of prosecution and pay $100 Act 198 fee for Possession of a Small Amount on April 15, 2022 in Clifford Township.

Laura Marie Tardif, 48, of Susquehanna, PA to 45 days to 18 months incarceration, with credit for time served, pay a $100.00 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, continue with mental health treatment, submit a DNA sample and pay the applicable $250 fee, abide by the standard terms and conditions of supervision for Simple Assault on March 19, 2025 in New Milford Township.

Thomas Lynn Burchell, 69, of New Milford, PA to27 months to 10 years in a state correctional facility, with credit for time served, pay a $50 fine, pay cost of prosecution, submit a DNA sample for Luring a Child on June 29, 2020 in Montrose Borough. Mr. Burchell was also sentenced to 12 months to 5 years in a state correctional facility to run concurrent with the above sentence, with credit for time served, pay a $50 fine, pay cost of prosecution, submit a DNA sample for Luring a Child on September 4, 2020 in Montrose Borough. Mr. Burchell was also sentenced to 27 months to 10 years in a state correctional facility to run concurrent with the above sentences, with credit for time served, pay a $50 fine, pay cost of prosecution, submit a DNA sample for Luring a Child on September 4, 2020 in Montrose Borough. Mr. Burchell was also sentenced to 21 months to 7 years in a state correctional facility, to run concurrent with the above sentenced, with credit for time served, pay a $50 fine, pay cost of prosecution, submit a DNA sample for Aggravated Harassment by Prisoner on July 15, 2023 in Bridgewater Township. Mr. Burchell also received 21 months to 7 years in a state correctional facility to run concurrent with the above sentenced, with credit for time served, pay a $50 fine, pay cost of prosecution, submit a DNA sample for Aggravated Harassment by a Prisoner on July 15, 2023 in Bridgewater Township. Mr. Burchell was also sentenced to 21 months to 7 years in a state correctional facility, to run concurrent to the above sentences, with credit for time served, pay a $50 fine, pay cost of prosecution, submit a DNA sample for Aggravated Harassment by a Prisoner on November 26, 2023 in Bridgewater Township. Mr. Burchell was also sentenced to 21 months to 7 years in a state correctional facility, to run concurrent to the above sentences, credit for time served, pay a $50 fine, pay cost of prosecution, submit a DNA sample for Aggravated Harassment by a Prisoner on November 26, 2023 in Bridgewater Township. Lastly, Mr. Burchell was sentenced to 21 months to 7 years in a state correctional facility, to run concurrent with the above sentences, with credit for time served, pay a $50 fine, pay cost of prosecution, submit a DNA sample for Aggravated Harassment by a Prisoner on November 26, 2023 in Bridgewater Township.

The following were accepted into the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition Program: Dylan Patrick Jenner, Jeremy Jones Williams, Ashley Jane Bolster.

The Susquehanna County DOMESTIC RELATIONS Section has outstanding BENCH WARRANTS for the following individuals as of 8:40am on October 31, 2025. Lloyd Baker, Larry Denney Jr., Matthew S. Elders, Charles M. Lynady III, Tyler J. Nelson, Christopher M. Stephens, Charles Vanwinkle Jr. Please contact the Domestic Relations Section at 570-278-4600 ext. 4050 with any information on the location of these individuals.

DEEDS as of 11-05-25

Carlsen, James E (By Atty) and Carlsen, Brenda G (AKA) and Carlsen, Brenda Gail (AKA) and Carlsen, Brenda to Carlsen, Brenda G (AKA) and Carlsen, Brenda Gail (AKA) and Carlsen, Brenda for $1.00, one location in Hallstead Borough and one in New Milford Township.

Carlsen, James E (By Atty AKA) and Carlsen, James E (By Atty) and Carlsen, Brenda G (AKA) and Carlsen, Brenda Gail (AKA) and Carlsen, Brenda to Carlsen, Brenda G (AKA) and Carlsen, Brenda Gail (AKA) and Carlsen, Brenda for $1.00 in Hallstead Borough.

Mancuso, Charles to Mancuso, Charles and Mancuso, Lauran for $1.00 in Rush Township.

Kovitch, Susan P (Estate) to Weibel, Stephanie and Kovitch, Melissa and Kovitch, Stacy for $1.00 in Hallstead Borough.

Stewart, Gregory and Stewart, Jennifer Lynn to Ward, Tobias and Ward, Theresa for $125,000.00 in Great Bend Borough.

Corrective: Woodruff, Beverly A to Woodruff, Richard B II and Woodruff, James A and Woodruff, Jennifer L for $1.00 in Lenox Township.

Gere, Jerald to Gere, Jerald and Gere, Janet for $1.00 in Montrose 2W.

Gere, Jerald to Gere, Jerald and Gere, Janet for $1.00 in Bridgewater Township.

Griffin, Gerard J and Griffin, Kirsten A to Griffin, Gerard J and Griffin, Kirsten A for $1.00 in Apolacon Township.

Lasher, John W and Lasher, Carole J to Morrison, Holly and Robinson, Justin Michael for $329,900.00 in Bridgewater Township.

Sorensen, Christian E (Estate AKA) and Sorensen, Chris (Estate AKA) and Sorensen, Christian (Estate) to Cain, April M for $66,246.96 in Choconut Township.

Brownell, Berneice B to Farr, Garrett (Trust) for $740,000.00 in Franklin Township.

Morrison, Gary P and Morrison, Jill to Vasquez, Enrique Eduardo (AKA) and Vasquez, Enrique Eduardo Vasquez and Bermeo, Maria Angelica Jimenez for $100,000.00 in Jessup Township.

Wood, Francis J (Estate) to Sirianni, Anthony D and Sirianni, Shawney J for $259,000.00 in Forest City.

Megivern, Scott A (AKA) and Megivern, Scott and Megivern, Carmen to Bremer Hof Owners Inc for $100.00 in Herrick Township.

Fine, Karen A (AKA) and Fine, Karen and Fine, Lawrence R to Bremer Hof Owners Inc for $100.00 in Herrick Township.

Marcy, James Elmer III (AKA) and Marcy, James Elmer and Marcy, Gayle Anne (AKA) and Marcy, Gayle Ann to Marcy, James Elmer III and Marcy, Gayle Anne for $1.00 in New Milford Township.

Homyak, Jordyn K and Homyak, Sabrena A to Pompey, Michael G and Pompey, Brianna Marie for $330,000.00 in Liberty Township.

Grecco, David (AKA) and Grecco, David A to Bremer Hof Owners Inc for $100.00 in Herrick Township.