Watsontown police: Child endangered, chief assaulted

Oct. 11--A Columbia County woman endangered her child and assaulted Watsontown's police chief on Tuesday, borough police allege.

Police said Kara Marie Kinney, 32, of Benton, was suspected to be under the influence of a controlled substance when she dropped her 4-year-old son off in the morning at the former Watsontown Elementary School, where the Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit operates a Head Start program. Columbia County Children and Youth Services was notified and requested that police assist them while they met with Kinney when she came to pick up her child.

Police said Kinney was under the influence of a controlled substance when she returned to the school. She attempted to flee from officers and was told she was under arrest. She resisted officers' commands and became physically aggressive. Police said Kinney assaulted Chief Rodney Witherite, injuring his left arm. Kinney continued to fight with police and was taken into custody. The incident occurred between 1:40 and 2:45 p.m.

Police said Kinney refused to submit to chemical testing but they found marijuana in the center console of Kinney's vehicle, which she admitted to smoking because of anxiety.

District Judge Michael I. Diehl of Milton arraigned Kinney on a felony charge of aggravated assault and misdemeanor counts of attempted endangering the welfare of children, resisting arrest, driving under the influence of alcohol and/or a controlled substance, possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. She was committed to Centre County Prison in lieu of $40,000 cash bail.

-- JOE SYLVESTER

Board fills Head Start, middle school jobs

The Danville Area School Board Tuesday night approved the hiring of Berenice Siliezar as a Head Start teacher at a starting salary of $27,628, effective Oct. 15.

The board accepted the resignation of Miranda Vining as Head Start education assistant, effective Oct. 11, then approved her hiring as a 12-month secretary at Danville Middle School at $12.41 per hour, effective Oct. 12. Board members also OK'd the employment of Kayla Parri and Tanya Hulsizer as Head Start education assistants at $10.93 an hour, effective upon completion of all required clearances.

-- JOE SYLVESTER

Trucker accused of pointing gun going to court

A San Jose, Calif., trucker will face Montour County Court action for allegedly pointing a revolver at an escort vehicle driver during a road rage incident.

Mykhailo Horbach, 23, waived his right to a preliminary hearing Wednesday afternoon before County District Judge Marvin Shrawder.

Police charged him with two counts of terroristic threats, simple assault, harassment and disorderly conduct.

Tpr. Matthew Lesher said he was called to Interstate 80 eastbound in Valley Township on Sept.12. State police at Bloomsburg stopped Horbach's 2018 Volvo truck with a trailer.

Horbach said he was involved in a road rage incident with an escort vehicle leading an oversized load. He said the escort vehicle was speeding up and slowing down as he traveled in the left lane. He said the escort driver, identified as Nick Kissinger, displayed his middle finger. Horbach said he grabbed his silver Bear River revolver and pointed it at Kissinger, according to the charges.

-- KAREN BLACKLEDGE

Probation home visit leads to drug arrest

A home visit by Snyder County Probation officers ended with the arrest of a Sunbury man for drug possession.

Nathaniel L. Posten, 30, was at the home of a Penn Township woman on Sept. 26 when probation officers made a routine visit, state police at Selinsgrove said.

The officers discovered a bench warrant had been issued by Snyder County Court for Posten who admitted he had narcotics and drug paraphernalia in his possession, court records said.

Officers found several bags of methamphetamine, a small amount of marijuana, stamped and unstamped baggies and drug paraphernalia in his backpack, court records said.

Posten was arraigned on a felony charge of possession of methamphetamine with the intent to deliver and misdemeanor drug charges before District Judge Lori Hackenberg. Bail was set at $15,000 cash pending a preliminary hearing before District Judge John Reed on Oct. 22.

-- MARCIA MOORE

New logo, website for agency

Union-Snyder Community Action Agency unveiled a new organizational brand, including a logo and website, to celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2019.

The new brand supports new organizational priorities as identified in a five-year strategic plan finalized this summer. Initiatives include creative food and nutrition collaborations and increased advocacy for public support of policies that affect families living with low income.

Union-Snyder CAA's new logo draws on the national Community Action Partnership's iconic "huggy heart" logo. The local CAA is among more than 1,000 Community Action Agencies dedicated to eliminating poverty through self-sufficiency initiatives.

For more information contact Emily Mrusko, development director, at emrusko@union-snydercaa.org or visit www.union-snydercaa.org.

-- ERIC SCICCHITANO

DA: Criminal activity info available

The Northumberland County District Attorney's office has made informational materials on a variety of criminal activities available to residents at the courthouse.

DA Tony Matulewicz said the literature is free and includes topics like protecting personal information, online dating, grandkid schemes, and a variety of other scams, including those involving small businesses, and payday loans.

Matulewicz said, "Scams and identity theft are a nationwide problem. Technological advances have allowed these crimes to evolve on a continuous basis." He said perpetrators of the crimes often operate outside of the United States, making investigations nearly impossible.

-- The Daily Item

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