TROY - A 25-year-old Canton woman has been charged with drug-related offenses following a search at her trailer at approximately 11:35 a.m. Sept. 10 on Hilltop Lane in Canton Borough, according to court papers filed with the office of Magisterial District Judge Jonathan Wilcox of Troy.

The papers note that Heather Ann Shedden is charged with the use of or possession with intent to use drug paraphernalia. Police said she possessed hypodermic needles, a metal spoon with residue, a metal grinder, a pill crusher and a marijuana pipe.

In addition, Shedden is charged with possession of a controlled substance.

In an affidavit, Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Michael Adams said that he and other law enforcement officials traveled to the residence of Tara Marie Hassler, no age given, in order to serve an active arrest warrant on her. She was located inside the residence and was taken into custody without incident.

Shedden and her infant son were also located at the trailer, police said.

Adams said that while clearing the trailer, police were able to locate pieces of drug paraphernalia in Hassler's bedroom, as well as the kitchen area. Both Shedden and Hassler provided their consent to search the residence for any further narcotics.

In the kitchen area, police seized an empty plastic water bottle that had been made into a marijuana pipe that contained residue, a small glass jar that had marijuana seeds and stems inside it, and a small zip-lock baggie of suspected marijuana.

In Hassler's bedroom, Adams located three metal spoons that had residue on them, five hypodermic needles, several empty heroin style packets, and an empty Fentanyl patch. He then searched Shedden's bedroom and found several empty heroin packets in the top drawer of her son's dresser.

Shedden was asked about the findings and stated the glass jar of seeds and stems was hers, but denied ownership of the smaller zip lock baggie of marijuana, police said.

Hassler also denied the baggie of marijuana was hers and stated it belonged to Shedden, according to police.

Police said Shedden told a trooper she last used heroin around three weeks ago and must have placed the empty packets in the dresser. Both Shedden and Hassler admitted to obtaining morphine tablets the day before and using them, police said.

Wilcox said Shedden was sent a summons by certified mail. She faces a preliminary hearing at 1:30 p.m. Jan. 14.

Eric Hrin can be reached at (570) 297-5251; email: reviewtroy@thedailyreview.com.

WAVERLY - The Waverly Board of Sewer Commissioners met Monday afternoon for their first meeting of 2015 to again discuss the conceptual upgrade plan of the Waverly Wastewater Treatment Plant and appoint members to work on the 2015 budget.

Sewer board chairman, Dr. Ron Khan spoke to the board in regards to the plan which was set to be presented by Michael Primmer, engineer of Delaware Engineering, but was postponed until the next meeting, Monday, Feb. 2.

The board first heard proposals for their Conceptual Upgrade Plan at their last meeting at the middle of December with Michael Primmer and Dave Ohman, P.E., vice-president, of Delaware Engineering, speaking to the board about the necessary changes that must be made to the village's current sewage treatment facility as directed by stricter nutrient elimination requirements as set by the federal and state governments and Susquehanna River Basin Commission.

The proposed conceptual upgrade plan includes reducing the amount of chemicals needed and replacing traditional sand filtration methods with a Membrane Bioreactor or MBR. The MBR is the combination of a membrane process like microfiltration with a suspended growth bioreactor, which breaks down biological material.

The wastewater treatment facility is currently seeing an increase in the solid input that it has been handling in the past. Facility employees told the board that in the past, a high percentage of solids was near 20 percent. Recently, the facility has been processing an average of 20 percent solids daily, with the system currently being able to handle the increase in sludge. The employee noted, however, that the facility has been shipping tankers of solid biological material to the Bath wastewater treatment plant at roughly $300 per load, to help with the increase in solids currently being processed.

The plans for the upgrades were postponed, in part, due to a lack of final commitment to the plan from Leprino's, the major industrial influence on the water flow and wastewater treatment in the Village. Primmer and Ohman also requested more time to gather information regarding pricing and differences in cost between the two proposed optional upgrade plans.

Both suggested plans were influenced heavily by new federal and state regulations enacted recently on wastewater outputs concerning mineral content. These new regulations will take effect in March 2016.

The proposed conceptual upgrade plan will take roughly 12 months to complete, according to data provided by Primmer and Ohman at their December presentation.

The board would ideally like to have a decision on the project by the end of February when they have tentatively set to unveil their 2015 budget.

Chairman Dr. Ron Khan, as well as board members Robert Bidlack and Michael Hughes have agreed to form the budget committee and undertake the completion of the budget.

Alexis Bortle may be reached at (570) 888-9652; email: abortle@thedailyreview.com.

TROY - A 57-year-old Granville Summit man has been charged with terroristic threats and other offenses after police said he pointed a loaded 30.06 rifle in the area of a man and his 15-year-old son and fired one round at approximately 1:15 p.m. Dec. 11 on Ira Brown Road in Granville Summit.

Lynn Howard Kinch is also charged with simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, disorderly conduct, and summary carrying loaded weapons other than firearms, according to court papers filed with the office of Magisterial District Judge Jonathan Wilcox of Troy.

Kinch told police he "has had issues with people trespassing on his property."

In an affidavit, Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Kyle Gruber said that the victim, Scott Shedden, no age or address given, stated that he and his 15-year-old son were driving on Ira Brown Road, toward Windfall Road, when Kinch blocked the roadway with his vehicle. Shedden said Kinch exited the vehicle with a loaded 30.06 long rifle and began screaming obscenities at the Sheddens.

Shedden said Kinch pointed the rifle away from the Sheddens and fired one round. Then, Kinch reloaded the rifle and said "the next time there would not be a warning," police said.

Shedden said Kinch was approximately five feet from him and his son, when Kinch fired the rifle away from them.

At approximately 3 p.m. Dec. 11, Gruber and Cpl. Joshua Thompson interviewed Kinch at his residence.

Kinch said he "has had issues with people trespassing on his property and that it is clearly marked 'no trespassing,'" police said. He told police he owns a residence at the end of Ira Brown Road, where he no longer lives full-time.

In addition, Kinch said that he saw the Sheddens go down Ira Brown Road and waited for them to come up the road. Kinch told police that as they came up the road, he blocked the road with his blue pick-up truck.

According to police, Kinch said that he exited his vehicle with a loaded 30.06 rifle and he fired one round away from the Sheddens and then "jacked another round in the chamber and stated it's still loaded."

Kinch was sent a summons by certified mail. He faces a preliminary hearing before Wilcox at 3:30 p.m. Jan. 21.

Eric Hrin can be reached at (570) 297-5251; email: reviewtroy@thedailyreview.com.

MILFORD - The video only lasts a few minutes, but it could put Eric Matthew Frein on death row.

Surveillance camera footage shown in a Pike County courtroom Monday showed an ordinary, rural Pennsylvania night descend into chaos as four shots at the Blooming Grove barracks left one state trooper dead and another crawling out of the line of fire in a desperate struggle to survive.

The video was part of a mountain of evidence prosecutors presented against Frein at a preliminary hearing Monday before Magisterial District Judge Shannon J. Muir.

Judge Muir heard about six hours of testimony before deciding there was sufficient evidence to send charges of first degree murder of a law enforcement officer and numerous other offenses to trial. Frein, 31, Canadensis, faces the charges in connection with the Sept. 12 ambush that killed Cpl. Bryon K. Dickson II and severely wounded Trooper Alex T. Douglass.

Pike County District Attorney Ray Tonkin said he plans to seek the death penalty.

Spectators packed the courtroom, including Cpl. Dickson's widow, Tiffany, who was joined by about two dozen supporters. Frein's parents opted not to attend the hearing, said attorney Michael Weinstein, who is representing Frein along with attorney William Ruzzo.

Testimony focused heavily on forensic evidence collected at the shooting scene and the abandoned airport hangar where Frein was captured on Oct. 30. Ballistic reports confirmed bullet casings at the crime scene matched one of the rifles owned by Frein that was found at the hangar, Cpl. Benjamin Clark testified.

Gripping footage

The most gripping moments came when Cpl. Warren Grabher narrated the surveillance video footage that shows the harrowing, frantic moments that ensued that night. The silent stop-and-go video images appeared to be a string of periodic photographic stills.

Spectators watched in stunned silence as the images were displayed on a large screen. One woman seated in a section reserved for the victims' families grabbed the hand of another woman seated in front of her as the video shows Cpl. Dickson opening the door of the police barracks leading to a front parking lot.

Seconds later, a different camera view captures him collapsing to the ground.

Communications Officer Nicole Palmer discovers Cpl. Dickson down and mortally wounded, and frantically bangs on the windows inside the lobby.

Moments earlier, the video showed Trooper Douglass arriving and parking in a lower lot. His shadow is visible as he walks up to the front of the barracks. He is next seen dragging himself into the barracks lobby, where he laid face down on the floor until another trooper inside the barracks drags him to safety through a second door.

The futile race to save Cpl. Dickson continued. A trooper crouches in the lobby with a rifle drawn as a team backs an SUV from a lower parking lot to shield Cpl. Dickson and his rescuers from the shooter across the street. The troopers then drag Cpl. Dickson through the lobby.

Frein silent at hearing

Frein intently watched the video in court Monday, only briefly casting his view away from the images.

Clad in a blue prison jumpsuit with his wrists cuffed on a chain that linked to a belt around his waist, Frein sat silently throughout the hearing. His hair was neatly combed and he wore a pair of eye glasses, both a stark contrast from the bedraggled man pictured in photos following his capture. His face was clean shaven of the goatee he had at the time of his arrest. The cut on his nose and a bruise on his eye have also healed.

Prosecutors called 10 witnesses at the hearing as they painstakingly laid out the forensic and other evidence investigators have amassed.

In addition to the bullet casings, authorities recovered notes they say Frein wrote, detailing his actions in the hours following the shooting. The notes were inside a garbage bag found at a campsite where authorities say Frein stayed during the first few days of his flight.

The end to his freedom came when deputy U.S. Marshal John Schaaf and a handful of other marshals came upon Frein at the abandoned Birchwood-Pocono Airpark in Pocono Twp. Schaaf said Frein was cooperative and even volunteered the location of his two rifles and loaded pistol, telling the marshal, "I don't want a kid to find the gun."

Letter is key evidence

Authorities also recovered a computer and two thumb drives from the airport hangar. Trooper Derek Fozard testified one of the thumb drives contained a photograph of Frein from an earlier time, wearing sunglasses and a cap. It also contained a letter addressed to his parents in which he speaks of trying to spark a revolution.

The letter is the key evidence in support of two counts of terrorism that were held for trial. Other charges bound over include attempted homicide, recklessly endangering another person and possession of weapons of mass destruction.

Court records previously filed in the case revealed prosecutors have additional evidence - including incriminating statements Frein reportedly made to police - that they did not present Monday. Tonkin was not obligated to present all evidence at this phase of the proceeding.

Speaking after the hearing, Weinstein and Ruzzo acknowledged prosecutors have significant evidence against their client. The attorneys said the case is still in its early phases, however. They intend to consult expert witnesses, including their own ballistics expert.

Ruzzo noted the defense has also already retained a mitigation expert, a professional who focuses exclusively on developing evidence that could be used to dissuade a jury from rendering a death sentence should a defendant be found guilty of first degree murder.

"My job is to do the best I can for him," Ruzzo said. "His life is in danger. My priority is going to be to save Mr. Frein's life."

Frein was returned to the Pike County Prison following the hearing, where he is being held without bail. The next step in the case will be his formal arraignment in county court, which is expected to occur later this month, Tonkin said.

Jim Lockwood, staff writer, contributed to this report.

Contact the writers: jkohut@timesshamrock.com; tbesecker@timesshamrock.com.

A happy birthday party

What a wonderful idea for the Trinity Lutheran Church of Towanda to have a birthday party for Jesus. The children surely looked like they were enjoying it. I wish other churches would consider having birthday parties for Jesus for the children to enjoy.

Not happy with the view

Our area scenic overlooks sadly are turning into industrial region overlooks. It's a shame.

Mixed-up priorities

I'm calling about what's wrong with our state of Pennsylvania: Our ex-governor, Mr. Corbett, puts a 10 cent gas tax on and then gives one million dollars to a private party to fix the driveway to the Pocono Raceway. Why not put that money toward the roads and bridges and no tax to the taxpayers? I hope Gov. Wolf will look into this and stop it.

Too much smoke

Over the holidays we were out to several clubs and bars and we all had a good time. But I can't understand why the state of Pa. lets clubs and bars still have smoking. The two clubs we went to in Towanda were so smoky you could hardly even see. I can't understand why people would still sit in a bar or club and let the cigarette smoke roll around them while they're trying to have fun or dinner. I just don't understand why the local officials don't cut it out. They cut it out at the courthouse, so why don't they cut it out at local clubs? (There are some bars that have cut out the smoking.)

-----------------------------

Care to share?

The Daily Review's Sound Off column will include items, both positive and negative, called in to a Sound Off hotline. That number is 570-265-1603. Calls will be anonymous; names will not be published. Profanity, as well as libelous content will be edited out. Give us a call. Let us know what's on your mind. We look forward to hearing from you!

HONESDALE - A 10-year-old boy accused of attacking and beating a 90-year-old woman, leading to her death last year, will be tried in juvenile court.

The boy, Tristin Kurilla of Damascus Twp., and his mother, Martha Virbitsky, both testified during a hearing Monday at the Wayne County Courthouse that the defendant, who suffers from several psychiatric disorders, had not been taking his medication at the time of the incident.

On Saturday, Oct. 11, Tristin was at the Damascus Twp. home of his grandfather, Anthony Virbitsky, when police say he lost his temper with Helen Novak of Tyler Hill.

The woman was under the care of Virbitsky, and Tristin punched her multiple times in the throat and stomach after she yelled at him, according to police.

Because of the severity of the crime, Tristin had originally been charged as an adult, per state law. He has been housed in the Wayne County Correctional Facility since October, away from the general prison population.

He will now move into the juvenile system, said his attorney, Wayne County Chief Public Defender Scott Bennett. The lawyer declined to reveal where the boy would be held, as juvenile court cases are, in most cases and in this one, closed to the public.

But Dr. Bruce Wright, a psychiatrist from Allegheny County hired by the prosecution, recommended to the court not only that Tristin's case be moved to the juvenile justice system, but also that he be housed in a secure facility - meaning a locked one.

When the boy was first incarcerated in county jail, law enforcement officials found the beginning of an escape plan written in notebook paper.

By moving to the juvenile system, Tristin will be under the control of the court only until the age of 21, Lackawanna County Judge Patricia Corbett said in a phone interview Monday. She oversees the juvenile court in her county.

The boy will face reviews every 3 to 6 months before the court, she said, which can adjust the boy's security level. A judge can even release him, if he or she decides he is responding well to treatment.

Appearing in court Monday wearing a new plaid shirt tucked into his blue jeans, Tristin cheerfully greeted his teary-eyed family while he was escorted into the courtroom by sheriff's deputies.

When questioned, he told his attorney he has problems with anger and paying attention.

He has been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder and Tourette Syndrome, his mother said.

He sometimes rubs his face to the point of making it bleed, and has compulsive ticks.

"Simple tasks like getting him to take a shower or do his homework, it was a fight," Virbitsky said.

The boy had responded positively to counseling and medication in the past, she told the court. But his psychiatrist stopped his drugs after school ended last year to see how he was maturing.

The public defender ended his questioning of the boy by asking what he wanted to result from his time in the juvenile system.

"That I'll come home and be a more persuasive person," Tristin said. "More mature."

Contact the writer: pcameron@timesshamrock.com, @pcameronTT on Twitter.

There was much enthusiasm for the recent district-wide art show in the Troy Area School District, according to one of the district's art teachers.

The art show was held in the Commons Building Auditorium Lobby just before Christmas. A variety of student artwork from all grades was on display.

"The students I talked to were excited to see everyone looking at their drawings," said art teacher Lucy Chamberlain. "They were eager to not only find their project, but to also find work made by their friends. I really enjoyed getting to see the students that are now older and I no longer have them as my art students."

"I had 87 student pieces from Croman," Chamberlain added. "Many were smaller and I was able to display more pieces than I had expected. The new panels were fantastic and easy to use. We had nearly 200 pieces of 2-dimensional work in total on the panels."

Chamberlain was impressed by some work produced in the high school with high school art teacher Amy Miller.

"The quality of their drawing skills truly impressed me," Chamberlain commented. "I had taught these students kindergarten through fourth grade and it was really exciting to see how much they have grown and improved. Many of these students are in the ninth grade. I can't wait to see their drawing skills grow as they continue through school."

Chamberlain noted that Troy Intermediate School (TIS) art teacher Wayne Beeman made a sign to thank the TIS PTSO (Parent Teacher Student Organization) and this was also on the new display.

The art show was held from 6-7 p.m. before the fifth and sixth grade chorus/band concert at 7 p.m.

"The auditorium was filled for the concert and everyone really took time to admire the student work in the lobby before entering the auditorium," Chamberlain said. "We had very positive feedback and were encouraged to continue to do similar displays in the future."

Eric Hrin can be reached at (570) 297-5251; email: reviewtroy@thedailyreview.com.

Thanks for stopping

I would like to thank the lady Sunday night who stopped on Route 20 while my daughters were chasing a cat. It was greatly appreciated.

Enjoyed the Christmas cover

The front page of the Christmas edition was a beautiful blessed gift for the community. It was surprising to see baby Jesus depicted with blue eyes and blonde hair, however.

Step up inspections

I'm calling in reference to last Sunday's article about that terrible crash in Susquehanna County with the water truck. I'd like to sound off, starting with saying it's a sorry loss. Condolences to the family who lost a son, husband and father due to a water truck with faulty brakes. Remember during the peak gas rush, DOT was everywhere. Shame on the company who allowed that truck on the road. My sympathy to the driver who has to live with that for the rest of his life. As to DOT, step up with inspections again before there's another tragedy.

More of the same?

After reading Tuesday morning's paper about the Wysox Township supervisor, somebody ought to be checking on other townships too.

Agrees with non-smoker

Kudos to the person who sounded off about the clubs and bars still having disgusting smoke. As a matter of fact, in any public place. All non-smokers should band together and encourage local officials to stop smoking in public places.

-----------------------------

Care to share?

The Daily Review's Sound Off column will include items, both positive and negative, called in to a Sound Off hotline. That number is 570-265-1603. Calls will be anonymous; names will not be published. Profanity, as well as libelous content will be edited out. Give us a call. Let us know what's on your mind. We look forward to hearing from you!

A fire on Sunday damaged the exterior of a home at 584 Dempsey Hill Rd. in Albany Township, and destroyed a garage on the property, the New Albany fire chief said.

The homeowner, Dion E. Spencer, suffered some burns on an arm and a leg when he went inside the garage, which was nearly engulfed in flames at the time, to retrieve a tractor, New Albany Fire Chief Mike Epler said.

Spencer was able to save the tractor, he said. However, everything else in the garage was destroyed, including tools that Spencer used for welding, he said.

Spencer had a welding shop in the garage, he said.

The fire damaged exterior siding on Spencer's house, which was 40 feet from the garage, the fire chief said. One of the house's windows was blown out from the heat, Epler said.

The cause of the fire is "undetermined at this time," the fire chief said. "We're not sure yet" what caused it, he said.

The fire is not considered suspicious and is considered to have started accidentally, the fire chief said.

The fire was reported at 7:25 a.m., he said.

Epler said he did not know exactly how severe Spencer's burns were.

Spencer was taken to a hospital for an evaluation. But by Sunday night, he was back home.

He will need to be seen again for the burns within the next week at a hospital in Allentown, Epler said.

There wasn't much to update on the planned Mountain Avenue project at the last Armenia Township supervisors' meeting.

According to township secretary Mallory Babcock, the supervisors have not received any further information nor any grant money for the project yet.

Last year, state Rep. Matt Baker (R-Bradford/Potter/Tioga) announced that Armenia Township has been awarded $392,667 in state funds to help improve road conditions on Mountain Avenue. The money for the road reconstruction project was awarded through the Department of Community and Economic Development's Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) Program.

Baker said that erosion from Tropical Storm Lee narrowed Mountain Avenue. And since then, he said, three crashes have occurred, sending drivers off the edge of the road and down a 45- to 70-degree drop.

But now improvements will be made to the road to ensure the safety of motorists.

In other business, supervisors agreed to pass the PSATS (Pennsylvania State Association of Townships) ordinance concerning compensation.

Township secretary Mallory Babcock will advertise the ordinance, prior to adoption.

Supervisors said ownership of the bridge by the Debating Club is being investigated. Babcock said work has to be done on it, and the supervisors are trying to find out who owns it, so it can be repaired. She said the township doesn't own it, and the owner is either the county or the state.

Supervisors indicated they are not attending the PSATS State Convention this year.

According to Babcock, the supervisors have decided that the flag pole, grader and plow will all be on the maintenance building site, and have asked resident Ron Wandell to provide a quote for the project. The grader and the plow are old and are being used for decorative purposes.

On office floor mats and uniforms, supervisors have decided not to contract this out, according to Babcock. The road man will be told to obtain needed work clothes from Hoover's Hardware. Babcock was directed to purchase floor mats. Babcock said it's more cost-effective to purchase the mats outright, rather than use a service.

Supervisors tabled the gravel bid. Treasurer Gary Horning will look into what options the township might have for purchasing gravel, according to Babcock.

Babcock noted that resident Bret Beardslee would like supervisors' approval for a wildlife propagation permit to raise foxes. She said he needs a letter to submit to Pennsylvania Game Commission. The matter was tabled.

Supervisors directed supervisor Chad Harwick to speak with the Game Commission regarding what the township's liability would be, Babcock said.

According to PA One Call Notices, the U.S. Census Bureau will conduct a Boundary and Annexation Survey and Talisman will be installing a water transfer line on Mountain Avenue and Swamp Road through Jan. 12.

Supervisors received a thank-you note from the Bradford County Library for the $100 donation supervisors made to the library.

Road foreman and supervisor Steve Harris reported that roads are being plowed and cindered as needed. In addition, the road man has been taking care of some brush cutting.

Babcock reported that the supervisors received an email from Matt Riel at AES, the company that has the wind turbines in the township, regarding "decommissioning costs." The township solicitor will review this to get more information.

Eric Hrin can be reached at (570) 297-5251; email: reviewtroy@thedailyreview.com.

HARRISBURG - Ceremonies at the Capitol amidst a snowstorm Tuesday reshaped two of the three branches of state government.

A new House Speaker and new Supreme Court Chief Justice took oaths of office and a new lawmaker was sworn in to represent a House district in Luzerne County.

Speaker Mike Turzai, R-28, Pittsburgh, was elected by colleagues of both parties to fill the top constitutional position in the House with the start of a new two-year session. Thomas Saylor of Camp Hill was sworn in as chief justice to succeed Ronald Castille who retired.

Rep. Aaron Kaufer, a Republican from Kingston, took the oath of office to represent the 120th District in Luzerne County. The 120th includes Kingston, Forty Fort and other Luzerne County municipalities.

Other changes in the Northeast legislative delegation reflect the 2012 reapportionment that took effect with November's election:

- Rep. Frank Farina, a Democrat from Jessup, represents the merged 112th House District. The new 112th includes Dunmore, part of Scranton and the Midvalley, where Farina lives.

- Rep. David Parker, a Republican from Stroud Twp., represents the 115th House District, a seat that moved to Monroe County from Lackawanna County.

- Sen. Mario Scavello, a Republican from Mount Pocono, represents the 40th Senate District, a seat that moved from Allegheny County to cover Monroe County and part of Northampton County.

Rep. Jack Rader, a Republican from Jackson Twp., succeeds Scavello in the 176th House District in Monroe County.

It was a day for milestones, too.

This is the first time in more than a century that a senator and House lawmaker from Schuylkill County hold leadership posts at the same time, lawmakers said. Sen. David Argall, R-29, Tamaqua, chairs the Senate Majority Policy Committee while Rep. Neal Goodman, D-123, Mahanoy City, is House Democratic caucus administrator.

Republicans control the House 119-84 and the Senate 30-20, giving the GOP super-majorities this session. Turzai said Democratic lawmakers can have an impact if they identify problems, work with GOP lawmakers and offer good solutions.

"119 did not get elected," added Turzai. "203 did."

Senate President Pro Tempore Joseph Scarnati, R-25, Jefferson County, said the symbolic Senate Bill 1 will seek to bring pensions for state government and school district employees in line with private sector pensions. Sen. John Blake, D-22, Archbald, said any pension reform needs to provide retirement security, honor contracts, not add to unfunded pension debt and provide relief to the state school districts.

Meanwhile, individual lawmakers took the opportunity to reaffirm positions on long-standing issues before the Legislature.

"It's about time that large gas-drilling companies pay their fair share of taxes, just like they do in every other state where they operate," said Rep. Marty Flynn, D-113, Scranton, referring to a severance tax on natural gas production.

Rep. Karen Boback, R-117, Harveys Lake, said she will continue to advocate policies such as newborn screening to improve the lives of children.

In a joint session, the House and Senate certified the gubernatorial election results. This sets the stage for a change in a third branch of state government: the Jan. 20 inauguration of Democratic Gov.-elect Tom Wolf.

Contact the writer: rswift@timesshamrock.com.

TOWANDA - A bank account has been set up to accept donations to assist the victims of the Dec. 13 fire at the Bailey Block building in Towanda, the coordinator of the local Red Cross chapter said.

The account was opened on Dec. 22 at Chemung Canal Trust Co. by Partners in Family & Community Development, a non-profit agency based in Towanda, said Bill Roach, who is the coordinator of the Bradford County Chapter of the American Red Cross.

The purpose of the account is to accept donations from the public to assist the victims of the fire, "in their long-term recovery," he said.

Towanda Fire Chief Bill Roof has estimated that there were 15 to 20 people who were displaced by the fire, which occurred at 712-716 Main St.

People have been contacting the Red Cross, asking how they can make donations to assist the victims of the fire, Roach said, explaining the need for the account.

Shortly after the fire, the Red Cross met with representatives from various local non-profit agencies - including the T.A.C.O. food panty, Futures Community Support Services, and Partners in Family & Community Development - to discuss how to meet the long-term recovery needs of the victims, and one of the outcomes of that meeting was to set up the bank account, he said.

The account, which is for the Bailey Block Fire Fund, will remain open for 90 days, Roach said.

At the end of the 90 days, the funds in the account will be divided equally among the residential tenants who were victims of the fire, Roach said.

It is up to the fire victims themselves to decide how to spend their share of the funds, Roach said. However, it is conceivable that they would use the money to, for example, pay rent, replace furnishings, purchase medications or buy clothes, he said.

If you care to make a donation to the victims of the fire, make out a check to "Bailey Block Fire Fund" and drop it off at any Chemung Canal Trust Company branch or mail it to Chemung Canal Trust Company, 304 Main St., Towanda, PA 18848, said Jeremy Gardner, a client service representative for Chemung Canal Trust Company.

After business hours, donations can also be dropped off in the Towanda branch's night drop box, he said.

James Loewenstein can be reached at (570) 265-1633; or email: jloewenstein@thedailyreview.com.

WAVERLY - The Village of Waverly planning and zoning board met on Tuesday evening to discuss proposed plans for the former Lefty's building at 460 Broad St. in the village.

The building was sold at auction in November and purchased by Five Star Realty, an incorporated business of Dr. Ashraf Sabahat. The space is roughly 34,800 square feet and in the past has been home to several restaurants including its namesake Lefty's, Spaghetti Freddy's, and another eatery serving Mexican fare.

Dr. Sabahat presented a "rough draft" site plan to the zoning and planning board, outlining the proposed changes and upgrades which will be made to the building.

In his brief presentation Tuesday, Dr. Sabahat explained to the board that he is hoping to be "grandfathered" into the former owners' approved variance to continue to allow rental units in the first floor of the building. There are currently eight apartments on the first floor and if approved, Dr. Sabahat plans to keep that area of the building as residential.

He went on to update the village officials on the condition of the building, stating, "at this present time, the building is not occupiable." The former owners "removed furnaces, lights, fixtures, appliances, damaged walls and replaced all the windows with boards," explained Dr. Sabahat.

"All those photos of old movie stars, I never realized, but there are no windows behind there," said Mayor Dan Leary. The first item on his drafted site plan would be the replacement of all the windows in the structure. This first step in the massive renovation project could begin as early as the end of the winter, according to Dr. Sabahat.

Next, Five Star Realty will install new appliances and complete kitchen renovations, reconstruct the present eight apartments, and create separate retail spaces and one restaurant area at the east side of the building. The parking lot, which is quite large and currently without use, will be repaved to allow greater access to the entire downtown area and revitalize the downtown area.

"The goals of this project are to revitalize the village of Waverly downtown area, improve the local economy, support community projects and eventually, reinvest in downtown," said Dr. Sabahat.

Currently, the proposed project has backing locally, with the support of an unnamed local bank, willing to invest, said Dr. Sabahat. The bank will provide capital until the several revitalization grants still in the application process are approved and funds are distributed.

The basement level, formerly "Lefty's Underground," will continue to be utilized as a banquet and party space, while the third level is planned to be converted into several more apartment spaces. A non-working elevator currently occupying space in the building will either be fixed or replaced with a working model, to allow third floor residents easier access to their homes.

Dr. Sabahat will return to the zoning and planning board at a later date with a formal site plan, including floor outlines, and then apply for a variance regarding the allowance of apartments on the first floor. The variance will be heard at a special public meeting with the zoning board of appeals.

Alexis Bortle may be reached at (570) 888-9652; email: abortle@thedailyreview.com.

A wind chill advisory remains in effect from 5 p.m. Wednesday to 10 a.m. EST Thursday, for much of Central New York and the Northern Tier of Pennsylvania.

Hazards may include extreme cold and wind chills will fall to around minus 15 late Wednesday and continue to drop into Thursday morning approaching minus 20.

Winds will be: west 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph.

Wednesday night low temperatures will fall to near or slightly below zero. These wind chill values will create dangerously cold conditions for exposed skin.

A wind chill advisory is issued when winds combine with very cold temperatures to create dangerous conditions for exposed skin. The wind chill is expected to be cold enough to cause frostbite in about 30 minutes or less, and could lead to hypothermia if precautions are not taken. Those planning to venture outdoors should use common sense and dress warmly, making sure that all exposed skin is covered.

Submitted by Jim Daly, Sayre Borough Emergency Management Coordinator.

HARRISBURG - State Rep. Matt Baker (R-Bradford/Tioga) took the oath of the office as a Pennsylvania state representative for the 12th time. For the 2015-16 term he will be representing all of Tioga County, as well as parts of Bradford and Potter counties.

"It continues to be my pleasure to work on behalf of the people of the 68th Legislative District who have kindly elected me to be their voice in Harrisburg," said Baker. "As we start yet another legislative session, I will continue to work for the betterment of those living and working in the Northern Tier, which means supporting more job creation opportunities, improving access to health care and ensuring all students receive a quality education."

Baker has also again been appointed to serve as chairman of the House Health Committee.

"I am pleased that through the committee I was able to advance so many important health care bills that were passed into law this past session, including legislation to create a prescription drug monitoring program, increase genetic disease screening for newborns, create a Lyme disease task force and develop a Patient-Centered Medical Home Advisory Council for the state's

Medicaid program to improve care and reduce health care costs, said Baker. "I am looking forward to working on many more legislative measures aimed at improving access to and quality of health care in Pennsylvania."

This will be Baker's third term as chairman of the House Health Committee. He previously served as chairman of the House Health and Human Services Committee, which was split into two separate committees in 2010.

Submitted article.

Armenia Township has passed a final 2015 spending plan that doesn't raise taxes.

According to township treasurer Gary Horning, real estate taxes will remain at 6 mils.

The budget's total revenue is $536,953 and total expenses are $421,110.

The road foreman received a cost-of-living adjustment of 2 percent, he said.

For 2015, money has been budgeted for a stockpile of gravel and road work.

During the township's organizational meeting Monday, the following action was taken:

- Supervisor Wayne Morgan was appointed as chairman.

- Supervisor Steve Harris was appointed as vice-chairman, road master, and COG representative.

- Mallory Babcock was appointed as township secretary and permit officer.

- Gary Horning was appointed as township treasurer. The treasurer's bond was set at $500,000.

- Supervisors retained Matt Lee as a full-time employee and redid his employment agreement to reflect changes made at the budget meeting.

- Kenneth Krise was appointed as the township's emergency management coordinator.

- Supervisors retained Beth Horning as chairperson of the vacancy board.

- Gary Horning was appointed as the township's representative to Alparon Park.

- First Citizens Community Bank, Citizens & Northern Bank, and Guthrie Credit Union were named as the township's depositories.

- Supervisors' pay was set at $75 per meeting, $12 per hour and $15 per hour for CDL work, pending approval by the auditors.

- Miscellaneous pay was set at $12 per hour and $15 per hour for CDL work, pending approval by the auditors.

- Harold C. Caldwell was appointed as the township solicitor.

Eric Hrin can be reached at (570) 297-5251; email: reviewtroy@thedailyreview.com.

MONTOURSVILLE - With the National Weather Service having predicted strong winds, snow squalls and low temperatures late Tuesday through Wednesday, PennDOT is advising drivers to slow down and use extra caution on area roadways, especially when extremely cold temperatures reduce the effectiveness of salt to melt snow or ice.

Heavy snow and strong winds could produce whiteout conditions throughout the region on Wednesday. Motorists should be alert to the potential for rapidly changing conditions.

The department asks motorists to allow plenty of space when driving near plow trucks. For their own safety and the safety of plow operators, motorists should never attempt to pass a truck while it is plowing or spreading winter materials.

Motorists can check conditions on major roadways by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 700 traffic cameras. 511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional Twitter alerts accessible on the 511PA website.

Submitted by PennDOT.

Whether cheering on fellow bowlers or sharing his knack for numbers, Charles Rolison made a difference in his community.

People in the Troy area are fondly remembering Rolison, 79, who lived in Columbia Cross Roads and passed away unexpectedly at home on Sunday, Dec. 28.

Highly involved in the community, Rolison had a hand in many endeavors.

According to his obituary, his memberships included the Troy Lions Club. He also served as treasurer for Rainbow Riders, Endless Mountains Missions Center, and Sugar Creek Parish. In addition, he was secretary/treasurer of Columbia Township.

William Eick, chairman of the Columbia Township supervisors, had good things to say about Rolison.

"He always got the work done and everything," he said. "He kept things going. He had all the information."

Rolison, he said, "was always friendly."

Lainey McBratney, barn manager and a board member of Rainbow Riders, recalled Rolison's involvement with that organization for about 10 years.

"He came to us when we financially were struggling," she said of his work as treasurer and accountant.

"He kept us on the straight and narrow and got us to where we needed to be," she commented.

She said Rolison "taught us about finances and taking care of things."

McBratney remembered him as funny and kind, someone, who at 79 years old, loved to talk and had great stories.

She said he was a "hometown boy" who was compassionate and intelligent.

"He just knew everything."

"I don't know where we would be without him," she continued. "He jumped in and taught us so much."

McBratney also noted that Rolison was "a man of God."

"You saw that every day when you talked to him," she said.

She also noted that he loved local history and genealogy, and was proud of his family.

"His face completely lit up when he spoke of them."

A well-respected man and "just a good guy," she said he "will be forever missed, personally and professionally."

"He was just invaluable to us. He was a dear man."

Rainbow Riders had a message on its Facebook page in memory of Rolison.

It read, "Today we say farewell to our dear friend Charles Rolison. Our lives are better for having known you. Thank you Chuck, until we meet again..."

Dennis Beardslee, owner of Terrace Lanes in Troy, recalled Rolison's love of bowling.

"I have been here for 30 years, and he was bowling here long before my time."

"He showed great passion and great sportsmanship. He was always cheering everybody else on to do the best job they could do."

Beardslee said Rolison was a good bowler, and had several "700" series and had a high game of 298.

He said Rolison also participated in the Pennsylvania Men's State Tournament and the Pennsylvania Men's Senior Tournament.

Gary Horning said Rolison was well-liked and "respected by everyone who knew him" and "very active in his community."

"As a one-time neighbor and long-time friend, Chuck and I shared similar interests," he said.

He noted they were both tax preparers and township treasurers, Rolison for Columbia Township and Horning for Armenia Township. Rolison took over for Horning in Columbia Township.

Horning said Rolison did a good job with anything he touched.

He remembered Rolison as relaxed, easygoing, and likable.

"You couldn't meet Chuck and not like him."

Rolison's obituary notes that on Aug. 17, 1958, he married the former Arlene Isaacs in Canton.

"Chuck was controller/general manager and sales person for Lemoncelli Tire Co. before they combined with Firestone Tire and Rubber Co. He worked as a traveling manager for Firestone in the Southern Tier of New York State for many years," according to his obituary.

Following his retirement, Chuck worked out of his home as a self-employed accountant until the time of his death, according to the obituary.

He was a member of Columbia Cross Roads United Methodist Church and most recently attended Southside Alliance Church in Elmira, N.Y.

Surviving are his wife, Arlene; four daughters, and other family members.

Eric Hrin can be reached at (570) 297-5251; email: reviewtroy@thedailyreview.com.

The concept of true humility is when we do good deeds in life, without expecting recognition. When we display this quality, then we have grasped the concept of true humility.

For 47-year-old Jen Curley of Ithaca, and formerly from Binghamton, N.Y., being humble was the last thing on her mind on Jan. 2, when she and her husband were returning from the Outlet Stores in Waterloo, N.Y. - a birthday present from her husband, Jed Gobrecht.

It was approximately 3:30 p.m. when they were traveling down scenic Route 89 to return home, and they were passing through Varick, N.Y. - a small town with several wineries and a handful of cottages that veers down toward Cayuga Lake.

As an animal lover, Jen, who was driving, is always keeping a watchful eye for small animals that might scurry into the road. But on Friday, she saw something different.

Out in the water, approximately a quarter of a mile away, she saw something dark that appeared to be flailing in the water.

Jen thought it might be a large bird of sorts, but then a second thought went through her mind, it might be someone in the water.

She slowed, with a bit of panic, to get a better look, suddenly realizing that it was an individual who was in the water, and was in some trouble.

The couple immediately pulled over, and her husband got out of the car to take a look, and told Jen that it appeared to be someone towing their boat.

It is noted, that on Friday, Jan. 2, according to weather maps, the temperature at that time of day was approximately 32 degrees. Cayuga Lake, for those unfamiliar with it, is approximately 38-miles long, and at its deepest portions measures at about 435-feet in depth. With this depth, the lake water, as recorded through studies performed by Cornell University and others, is known to freeze completely over in its shallow parts during the winter months.

As a former lifeguard, teacher, who is native to the Southern Tier Region, Jen's reaction to Jed's assessment of the situation, bluntly, was "The (expletive removed) it is!"

Jen pulled into the nearest driveway, in which its owners were just arriving home behind her and were visibly upset by the car's blockage - but it was too late. Jen was already running down to the water, and was screaming, "Somebody help!" She was also screaming out to the man in the water, to just "hang in there."

From what Jen could recollect, the man, identified by Waterloo State Police Investigator Anthony DeMarco as 33-year-old Wesley Ahouse of Lodi, N.Y., was in the water and couldn't move. She also noted that Ahouse was wearing a life vest, so he was floating on his back.

"His scream was bone chilling," Jen described, "that's how I knew he (Wesley Ahouse) was in trouble."

Over and over again, as Jen descended into the icy waters at this point, she told Wesley Ahouse to just "hang in there."

She also described Wesley Ahouse as wearing layers of camouflage clothing, and that he was moving his arms a little, but only in circles equivalent to the size of a frisbie. It was evident that the rest of his body was too cold to move.

At this point, Jen's husband and the gentleman who owned the driveway they had parked in were making 9-1-1 calls, and screaming for her to not go in the water.

But now, she was up to her chin as this area was a shallow point in the lake. And then she started to become numb, and freeze.

"I couldn't move anymore and was getting dizzy, and I was still 20 to 30 feet away," said Jen of the icy waters.

Wesley Ahouse was in trouble and had a boat nearby, which he was presumably using for duck hunting; Ahouse also had several friends further in the distance who were trying to paddle closer, but it was not going to be soon enough.

Jen coached Wesley Ahouse who was on his back, frozen with a life jacket on, to just keep circling his hands the best he could.

Frozen as well, Jen inched toward Ahouse, and he also did toward her.

All the while, Jed continued to tell her not to go further, but she was filled with adrenaline and knew she had to take action to save a man who was going to die.

Wesley Ahouse finally reached her, and with her lifeguard skills, Jen knew the proper technique to pull him safely from the water, although by this point - she was totally frozen.

By the time Jen returned to shore, she recalled being told by responders on the scene to remove all of her clothing that was wet, and to get in the warm car. She did note, that it all happened so fast that her details of who was there when she returned and what was said were a bit convoluted, although she did recall that there were some area rescue workers on the scene at this point.

It was later confirmed that the Waterloo State Police had responded with assistance from the Varick Fire Department.

Jen and Jed left the area immediately, with what Jen described as getting in her car on Route 89 in "nothing but her skivvies."

As for Wesley Ahouse, she never learned much more than the fact that he was safe, and out of the water.

She described in an interview that Ahouse couldn't stand up after the rescue, and stated that she later learned that he declined medical attention, although this could not be confirmed.

She also learned later that the Varick Fire Department went out and retrieved the boat that Wesley Ahouse was duck hunting from.

The incident, she presumed, happened when Wesley Ahouse leaned over to retrieve a decoy, and the boat had overturned - although this information could not been confirmed by State Police investigators.

As for Jen, she was better after the adrenaline and nerves shook off. Outside of some wheezing, and a little trouble with her breathing, she was left with nothing but shock at what had just occurred on the lake.

To recover herself, she noted, she wrapped herself in blankets and drank plenty of warm tea; but the situation, she stated, "…keeps playing over and over in her head."

"I didn't even think about what I did," she stated, "I can't make any sense of it."

Jen grew up in Binghamton, N.Y., and began teaching in the 1990s.

According to Jen, she taught in New York City, Tucson, Arizona, worked at the Psychiatric Center in Binghamton, N.Y. for a short time, and then for the Elmira school system. She now works for Warren Real Estate.

Most notably, to this scenario, and is the reason why a life was saved, is that Jen also served as a lifeguard in 1987, and then from 1991 to 1992 for Binghamton Park and Recreation's Columbus Park.

Jen had never married and met her husband, Jed Gobrecht of Ithaca, while she was volunteering at the Ithaca Brew Fest in 2009. They married in 2011 and now reside in Ithaca.

As for the details of what exactly happened to Wesley Ahouse that caused his craft to overturn, a confirmation has not been made. The Varick Fire Department was reached out to, but has not yet responded.

What is known, is that an unselfish act of one woman, saved the life of a man whose life was hanging in the balance.

Local Brief

Sayre students to participate in District 8 Band Festival

The Pennsylvania Music Educators Association has announced the District 8 Band Festival to be held Jan 8-10, 2015. This year's festival will include 150 of the best high school musicians from 40 schools in Bradford, Columbia, Lycoming, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder, Sullivan, Tioga, and Union counties. The following Sayre students will be participating in the festival: Emalie Shaffer, Kristen Johnston and Adriana Romano. The guest conductor for the program will be Dr. William Kenny, Director of Bands at Bucknell University. A public concert will be presented at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 10 in the Troy Jr./Sr. High School Memorial Auditorium. Pre-concert ceremonies will begin at 12:50 p.m. Tickets will be available for purchase at the door: $5 for adults, $3 for students/seniors. For further information, please contact Daniel Schwanger, festival host, at dschwanger@troyareasd.org or Troy Area Jr./Sr. High School, 150 High St., Troy, PA 16947, phone: (570) 297-2176.

Submitted article.