By Sharon E. Siegel
PORT JERVIS – A house raided in a “no-knock” search warrantdrug bust Friday evening, January 29th, sustained extensive damage in an apparently non-related fire on Saturday morning. The cause of the fire, which occurred at 131 Hammond Street, was determined by Orange County Fire Investigators to have been electrical in nature.
The lower Fourth Ward fire was reported by a neighbor who called Orange County’s 9-1-1 center just before 11 a.m. On Saturday, January 30th. Port Jervis Fire Chief Jim Fuller arrived on the scene within minutes, just as Port Jervis police officers were also arriving.
“There were conflicting stories from neighbors at first as to whether anyone was in the building or not,” said Fuller. “One neighbor said residents were in the home, and another said there was no one home. After speaking with the police about the raid the night before, they explained that the building was vacant. I had one other major issue, the possibility of so-called chemicals in the home.”
This concern prompted Fuller to request Orange County’s HazMat Team to respond. After an air quality audit was conducted by HazMat member Darryl Vandermark, the building was determined to be within air quality limits.
The fire was brought under control within approximately an hour. Fire damage was contained to the upper floor and roof, with water and smoke damage throughout the structure.
Besides Port Jervis fire units, other fire departmentson scene were Greenville, Matamoras, Sparrowbush and Westfall. On standby were Montague, Greenville, Sparrowbush, Matamoras, Westfall, and Huguenot. PJPD and Regional EMS were also on scene. Salvation Army was on scene to distribute hot soup and other refreshments to emergency responders, some of whom remained on scene in near single-digit temperatures for several hours.
Information released by Port Jervis Police Departmenton Saturday verified that the home had been the location of the prior day’s “no knock” search, which was executed at approximately 9:07 p.m. The police search resulted in the arrest of tenant Karl Kalblein, age 39, who had been under police investigation for several months.
PJPD also seized 207 Cannabis plants, more than 10 pounds of Marijuana, quantities of Methadone, Alprazolam, Hydrocodone, and Oxycodone pills, and $1,686 in cash. It was reported that inside the home three large rooms contained heating lamps, ultra violet lights, fertilizer, potting soil, and equipment used to harvest the plants.
Kalblein, according to police, had been operating a large scale “grow house” which supplied Marijuana from Port Jervis to Scranton, PA. Kalblein was charged with unlawfully growing the plant known as Cannabis, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substancein the 1st and 3rd Degrees, and Criminal Possession of Marijuana in the 1st Degree. He was arraigned in City Court before Judge Matthew Witherow on Saturday, January 30th and remanded to Orange County Jail, without bail, pending a court appearance on Monday, February 1st.
MILFORD — Two Pike County men were each sentenced to 7 to 14 years in state prison for the rape of a 12-year-old Shohola girl last February.
The two men, Curtis Allen Jenks, 20, of Matamoras, and David Allen Cooper, 19, of Shohola, each pleaded guilty to one count of Rape of a Child. They admitted travelling to the girl’s house on February 16, 2009, while her parents were not home, and raping her.
Upon the completion of their prison sentences, the two will be required to register as sexually violent offenders under Pennsylvania’s Megan’s Law.
The case was procesuted by Assistant District Attorney Sarah Lavelle, who commended the excellent job done by the Pennsylvania State police in colleting evidence that was “crucial to the convictions.”
WESTFALL — Once a police officer with the Westfall Township Police Department, Robert Dombrosky is now suing the Westfall Township Supervisors and the Eastern Pike Regional Police Commission for refusing to give him his job back after criminal charges led to a two year leave of absence.
According to the complaint, filed in the Middle District Court of Pennsylvania, Dombrosky was charged in a Port Jervis criminal case in 2007, and agreed to take a leave of absence while the matter was settled, provided he got his job back with back pay if he were acquitted.
During his absence the Eastern Pike Regional Police Department (EPRPD) was formed, combining the Matamoras and Westfall police departments. The commission that governs the EPRPD say they don’t have a fulltime job for Dombrosky, according to his complaint. He’s charging township officials and the EPRPD Commissioners with breach of contract and of his 14th amendment rights.
Tom Marino announced his intention to seek the Republican nomination in Pennsylvania’s 10th U.S. Congressional District on Wednesday. Here, he addresses a crowd at Ehrhardt’s Wednesday evening. (Photo by Josh Wengler)
By Josh Wengler
PAUPACK — Attorney Tom Marino, 57, a Williamsport Republican, has announced his candidacy for the US House of Representatives seat currently occupied by Democrat Chris Carney.
At a party held at Ehrhardt’s Wednesday to introduce the candidate to Pike County Republicans, Marino said his aim is to return the federal government to the people. “Washington DC is out of touch,” He said. “We need someone there to fight for our beliefs in the 10th District.” He said in his opinion Chris Carney hasn’t done that in his two terms in office, and he can do the job of representing Northeast Pennsylvania better.
Many prominent local Republicans, including county commissioners Rich Caridi and Harry Forbes and Pike County Sheriff Phil Beuki, attended the gathering, where they were invited to ask questions of the candidate, so they could get to know him better ahead of the campaign, which officially began in December.
The five Republican candidates for the 10th District seat and other candidates in this year’s race will be at Matamoras’ Riverview Inn on February 16 at 6 p.m. to meet potential constituents.
HARRISBURG – The Department of Environmental Protection is reminding the public that small energy conservation steps taken around the home can add up to significant savings and help consumers stretch their heating budgets.
DEP Secretary John Hanger said that money-saving tips are available through the state’s “Turn Down, Seal Off, Save Up” initiative.
“Water heaters consume a large portion of a home’s energy usage, yet the hot water is only used occasionally,” said Hanger. “Turning down the thermostat on your water heater will help to conserve energy and save money. For every 10 degrees you reduce your water heater’s thermostat, you could save up to five percent on your overall energy bill.”
Adjusting the water heater’s thermostat is only one step in saving energy and money. Once the water is heated, it is typically stored in a tank before it is distributed throughout the house. Non-insulated tanks and pipes allow the hot water to cool before it is used. Applying insulation to the tank and pipes allows the heater to cycle less frequently and keeps water warmer until it is ready for use. Installing low-flow faucets and shower heads also will help reduce water usage and generate additional savings.
Hanger added that drafty windows and doors rob homes of warmth. Sealing cracks around windows, doors, electrical outlets, and vents keeps warm air inside and keeps cold air outside. Opening insulated draperies on sunny days will allow sunlight to naturally heat your home. Closing the draperies at night will help retain the heat.
“These and other small steps can add up to big savings and provide an increased feeling of security and comfort, even during the coldest winter nights,” said Hanger. “Remember: the less energy you use, the more money you save.”
For more information on energy savings tips, financial help to pay heating bills, and additional resources for staying warm, visit www.TurnSealSave.org or call 1-866-550-4355.
HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania State Police now are using computer technology to issue electronic traffic citations, a step that Commissioner Frank E. Pawlowski said makes troopers more efficient and safer.
“The system cuts in half the amount of time a trooper needs to issue a citation, allowing the officer to get back on the road more quickly to resume patrol duties,” Pawlowski said. “In addition, troopers no longer have to spend time transporting the citations to the local magisterial district judge; the citation information is transmitted electronically.”
Pawlowski said the system enhances officer safety by reducing the time troopers remain in exposed and potentially dangerous situations along roadways while issuing citations.
“Troopers are at increased risk whenever they are out of their patrol vehicles to issue a citation,” he said.
Pawlowski said the new computer-generated traffic citations will be printed on legal-size thermal paper, which, he said, will help to eliminate any confusion that may have resulted from the handwritten, carbon copy forms used in the past.
The electronic citation system is part of the Pennsylvania State Police TraCS project, which stands for Traffic and Criminal Software. As part of the project, state police earlier developed computerized crash reports that are submitted to PennDOT.
Pawlowski said the department tested the citation system using pilot programs in several state police troop areas late last year.
“Feedback from the field has been positive,” he said. “We estimate that this system could cut by half the 15 minutes typically required to issue a citation in the past.”
Pawlowski noted that when a driver’s license and registration information is entered into a patrol vehicle’s computer, state and national databases are automatically checked to determine whether outstanding warrants exist for the driver or whether the vehicle has been reported stolen. The driver’s license and registration data from the records check can then be automatically inserted into the traffic citation form.
As an added efficiency, the system sends the citation information electronically through the Pennsylvania Justice Network, or JNET, to the Administrative Office of the Pennsylvania Courts, which relays it to magisterial district justices. The information is sent directly from the system to the Philadelphia Traffic Court in appropriate cases.
In the future, Pawlowski said state police commanders can use the data to develop specific local enforcement programs.
“This is a valuable tool for targeting traffic law violators and making our roads safer for everyone,” Pawlowski said.
Pawlowski said the TraCS system was implemented by state police late last week in all counties except Westmoreland County, where an update of a computer system used by magisterial district judges is taking place. The TraCS system will be used in Westmoreland County starting on Feb. 1.
If you are interested in adopting a pet, please call or visit the Humane Society of Deerpark/Port Jervis at 202 Rt. 209 North during the following hours: Tues. – Sat. 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. or Sun. 1 – 3 p.m. The shelter is closed every Monday. You can call to check what animals are available at 845-856-3677 or visit www.pjhs.petfinder.com. For our shelter events and more information about the shelter or adopting a pet visit www.pjhumane.org.
The following found homes: Piglet and LaStat have gone to new homes.
Midnight is an 11-year-old altered male. He looks like a black labrador retriever with some wiry terrier mixed in. His tail curls up a little bit. Midnight's owners can't afford to keep him. Midnight is frightened by life at the shelter and was shaking when we had him out for his pictures. He is a friendly guy who just wants a cozy home.
Emma is a female about 1 year old who was found wandering on the shelter property. She has calico coloring with some grey tabby markings. Emma has a pink nose and hazel eyes. Her tail is dark with some rings on it. She will be spayed before going to a new home and is using the litter box in her cage.
Mittens is a hound / pit bull terrier female about one year old. She came to the shelter as a stray. Mittens has dark brindle coloring with white 'mittens' on her front paws and white on her chest. She is skinny now but eats well and is a friendly girl. She will be spayed before going to a new home and is clean in her kennel.
Pictured are sixth graders from HBE School in Cuddebackville. Recently, Kindergarten through sixth grade students collected money to donate to the Deerpark Humane Society. In total, $713 was collected to help out our area shelter. Caring and giving are two character traits being stressed this year. These students are putting it into action.
SUGAR LOAF, N.Y. – “Food Fight: A Musical Comedy for Waist Watchers!,” the hilarious hit show about our love/hate relationships with food, dieting and exercise, is coming to the Lycian Centre for the Performing Arts in Sugar Loaf on Saturday, February 6at 8 p.m.
Set in a women-only gym, four waist-conscious women will take audiences through the familiar ups and downs of survival in a beauty and weight-obsessed world. Let by the energetic personal trainer Carla Cook, gym members Cheryl Corn, Connie Pizzarelli and Cindy Berger will play out their stories and personal struggles with food through hysterical song and dance as they try to get in shape. Sporting a variety of workout wear, the quartet will perform parodies with voices, expressions and antics about food, diets, exercise, plastic surgery, cooking shows and more.
In the wild spirit of “Menopause the Musical,” 24 catchy, popular tunes with parodied lyrics make “Food Fight” instantly enjoyable for men and women alike, and will have audience members singing “If I were a size two…” instead of Fiddler on the Roof’s “If I were a rich man…” all the way home.
“Food Fight” made its world debut in 2007 in Palm Beach, Fla., and launched a national tour In February 2009 from Atlanta, Ga., on its way to St. Louis, Denver, Ft. Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Green Bay, and to numerous other cities across the country. Reviews of the show have been outstanding. Critics are wild about its cleverness, talented cast and superb presentation. The Palm Beach Post declared, “Audiences are EATING IT UP!”
Tickets for this hilarious show are only $28 and $25 for adults, and $18 for youth (18 and younger) and can be purchased by calling the Lycian Centre Box Office at (845) 469-2287, Tuesday through Saturday between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m or on-line at www.LycianCentre.com. Group discounts are available.
PORT JERVIS – The Port Jervis Country Club has announced a half price membership plan for new members.
”We have designed an appealing and unprecedented program for golfers, experienced and novice, ideally responsive to the current market,” said Reese Evans, Club Chairman.
The club’s 50-percent off offer is limited to 15 golfers signing up by April 30th. The plan covers membership dues, attractive cart leasing/rental and storage, practice facilities and, of course, unlimited golf on its beautiful 18-hole, Par-70 course. The special offer includes both single and family memberships.
Port Jervis is the premier golf club in the Tri-State area. It opened in 1915 and was redesigned by the legendary A.W. Tillinghast in 1921. Its membership is relatively small, offering its members the opportunity to play without tee time reservations, even on busy weekends.
Reese Evans further remarked, “Ours is an informal, friendly club, primarily for golfers. Our members do not have the burden of paying for amenities like tennis courts, pool and spa. That’s why our regular membership dues are relatively modest in the first place. Like other premier clubs, we have diversified leagues, tournaments and social programs. The new Jack Champion Steak House, offers members great value, good food and personal service. Our members, dining with friends and fellow golfers in its beautiful setting, consider it a year- round restaurant favorite.”
For additional information on the club and the new member 50-percent off offer, call the club at (845) 856 7070, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and/or check its Web page at www.PortJervisCountryClub.com
