Susquehanna County District Attorney's Office

Halloween has a lot to offer: costumes, trick-or-treating, goblins, black cats and parties just to name a few of its traditions. One of my favorite activities has always been carving pumpkins. Aside from the obvious allure of hacking up a giant gourd and scooping out its slimy insides, I learned there may be something more to my proclivity to carve. If you are wondering what I am talking about, read on, if you dare Pumpkin carving grew out of an Irish myth, although to be...gin with people carved turnips and potatoes. The myth tells us that a man nicknamed Stingy Jack tricked the devil into agreeing to not claim his soul upon his death. When he did die, God refused to allow him to enter heaven and the Devil, keeping his word, did not allow him into hell. The Devil sent Stingy Jack on his way with only a burning coal to light his way. Stingy Jack carved a turnip, placed the coal inside and has roamed the Earth ever since. The Irish eventually began to refer to Stingy Jack as Jack of the Lantern and then just Jack O’Lantern and they carved scary faces into turnips and potatoes, placing them in their windows to scare Stingy Jack and other evil spirits away. Irish Immigrants ultimately brought this tradition to the United States and began using pumpkins to make their jack o’lanterns. This year when you’re enjoying your costumes, candy and pumpkin carving under the light of a full moon, please make sure to have fun and be safe, and keep an eye out for Stingy Jack. Pictured is a list of some Susquehanna County Townships/Boroughs participating in trick-or-treating this year. Please make sure to respect their times and requirements.

Please join us tomorrow, October 22nd, in wearing the color purple to recognize National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Domestic violence is violent or aggressive behavior within the home, typically involving the abuse of a spouse or partner. While typically thought of as violence between spouses/romantic partners, domestic violence can also include emotional/psychological abuse, economic/financial abuse, stalking and harassment of any household or family member. If you or someone you love is experiencing domestic violence, reach out to the District Attorney’s Office, your local police department or a victim resource organization to find out where you can get help. Together we can make a difference.

UPDATE - Carpenter was found by state police at a farm in Susquehanna County and was taken into custody after a brief foot chase. He is currently locked up in W...yoming County. WANTED State Police in Tunkhannock are asking for help in locating 23 year old Dylon Carpenter of Nicholson. Carpenter fled from police late last month and is wanted by multiple law enforcement agencies in Susquehanna, Wyoming, and Lackawanna counties for drug, burglary charges and is a suspect in several vehicle thefts in those counties. Troopers say he should be considered dangerous. He is known to frequent the Nicholson, Hop Bottom, Kingsley and Greenfield Township areas. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact PSP Tunkhannock at 570-836-2141.

Elk Lake School District’s School Resource Officer (SRO) is John McArthur. John also serves as a part-time County Detective for the District Attorney’s Office. Prior to becoming an SRO, John spent 22 years serving the public as a Pennsylvania State Trooper, as well as 11 years before that spent serving our Country in the US Army, both active and in the Reserves. Of the SRO Program, Mr. John Warnero, the Secondary School Principle of Elk Lake School District, said "The SRO p...rogram has been a phenomenal addition to our District. The SRO assigned to Elk Lake and the SCCTC, and when necessary the substitutes provided by the DA's Office, have been such a great fit and addition to our school culture. The immediate, significant impact on the safety and security of our students, staff and facility by having a trained, professional law enforcement officer on campus is felt by all. The SRO program has been an incredible resource for building positive relationships between law enforcement and our students as well as for our teachers to use in classrooms as a "guest" speaker regarding topics pertinent to the SRO's knowledge and experiences." The District Attorney’s Office is very pleased that John agreed to join not only the staff of our office as a County Detective, but more particularly that he is serving our community in such an important role as a School Resource Officer.

Mark Keyes is one of the School Resource Officers (SROs) for Montrose Area School District. Mark also serves as a part-time County Detective for the District Attorney’s Office. Mark started in the emergency service field when he became a volunteer firefighter in 1985 and then an EMT in 1987. From 1988 to 1994, he served as a 911 Dispatcher in Wyoming County, simultaneously attending Wilkes University, receiving a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. In 1994, Mark graduated from... the State Police Academy. Mark served his entire career in Troop R, assigned at various times to the Blooming Grove, Dunmore, Honesdale and Gibson Stations, spending six of his last eight years assigned as a criminal Investigator at PSP Gibson. Mark’s last two years with the Pennsylvania State Police, found him assigned to the Troop R Community Services Unit in Dunmore as a Public Information Officer, working with the public, schools and the media in all four Troop R counties. During his time with the Community Service Unit, Mark was also the Director of Troop R Camp Cadet. Now he holds a position on the Camp Board of Directors. The District Attorney’s Office is very pleased that Mark joined our staff and agreed to serve as one of our county’s School Resource Officers.

John Bradley is Forest City Regional School District’s School Resource Officer (SRO). John is also a part-time County Detective for the District Attorney’s Office. John attended Pennsylvania State University and graduated with an associate’s degree in Business Management. Prior to becoming an SRO, John was a Pennsylvania State Police Trooper where he was stationed in the Patrol Section before his retirement after 25 years of service. As a patrol trooper, John would have de...alt with just about every situation imaginable. The skills John developed as a Pennsylvania State Trooper serve him well as a School Resource Officer. The following are just a few examples of John’s impact at Forest City Regional School District: Cassandra Stout, Forest City Regional’s High School Principal said that Detective Bradley is an integral member of the Forest City Regional Team. Detective Bradley is a shining example for all of our students, he embodies what it means to Go Be GREAT! He cares about our students as if they were his own, and his fatherly instincts are always on point when knowing exactly how to handle a student. Forest City Regional’s Elementary Principal, Michael Zack, had equally as nice things to say about Detective Bradley stating Detective Bradley serves a far greater role in our school community than simply SRO. He acts as a mentor and role model to our students who need a positive influence most. Detective Bradley works to build relationships with students, faculty, and staff each day and is an integral part of the Forester Team! The teachers at Forest City Regional had great things to say about Detective Bradley as well: Detective Bradley is the patroller of our Forest. - Nicole Lenz, Business Teacher Detective Bradley gained all of our trust from day one. His perspective allows him to act as a tempering influence in our community. - Cynthia Weiss, Math Teacher Detective Bradley is always willing to help, no matter how big or small the problem and he always keeps his sense of humor. - Carrie Kemmerer, English Teacher Detective Bradley is a calming presence throughout our building. Whether dealing with an upset student or with someone just looking for advice he is the guy to go to. The positive relationships that he has built with our students is truly remarkable. He is a very valuable asset to our school. - Daniel Nebzydoski, Physics Teacher The District Attorney’s Office is very pleaded that John agreed to join the staff as a County Detective, but more importantly that he agreed to serve our community in a role as important as a School Resource Officer.