Magisterial District Judge Todd A. Woodin was again certified for service as a member of Pennsylvania’s Unified Judicial System after successful completion recently of continuing legal education course work. Conducted by the Minor Judiciary Education Board (MJEB) and the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts (AOPC), the educational program for Magisterial District Judges is held in Harrisburg. The week-long instructional program is designed to ensure that Magisterial District Judges remain in a variety of legal topics and management techniques required to fairly adjudicate cases and effectively supervise a district court office. Included in this year’s curriculum are updates on the Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Code Update, Landlord/Tenant Law Update, Collection Cases: Primer on Proofs, Ethics, Debt Collection – Collectors, LGBTQ+ Cultural Humility, Verbal Judo, Criminal Law Update, MDJS Update, Mental Health Update, Social Media & IT Security, Court Continuity Operational Plans – COOP, Search Warrants and Evidence – Expert Testimony, Practical Issues at Preliminary Hearing, Wellness and the Legal Profession and Bail.

Continuing education course work is required by the statute of each of the more than 500 Pennsylvania Magisterial District Judges, with approximately 50 Magisterial District Judges attending one of 13 such classes during each academic year.

Magisterial District Judges represent the “grass roots” level of Pennsylvania’s judicial system. In counties other than Philadelphia, Magisterial District Judges have jurisdiction over summary, criminal and motor vehicle cases; landlord/tenant matters; and other civil actions where the amount claimed does not exceed $12,000. Magisterial District Judges may also accept guilty pleas in misdemeanor cases of the third degree under certain circumstances. Magisterial District Judges also have jurisdiction to issue arrest and search warrants and to hold arraignments and preliminary hearings in criminal cases.

Established by Constitution, the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts provides support to the Supreme Court in exercising its supervisory duties over each of the other state courts. The Minor Judiciary Education Board was established by legislative act to administer the continuing legal education program for Magisterial District Judges, Philadelphia Municipal Court Traffic Division Hearing Officers and Philadelphia Arraignment Court Magistrates (formerly Bail Commissioners), as well as certifying courses for Magisterial District Judges, Philadelphia Municipal Court Traffic Division Hearing Officers, Arraignment Court magistrates and other initial jurisdiction court judges.

Warren Beekeepers

The Warren Beekeepers will meet at 6:30 p.m. Monday, March 18, at the Warren County Conservation District, Hatch Run Rd.

This will be the first meeting of the year. Beekeepers or people interested in becoming beekeepers are encouraged to attend.

For more information, call Freda at (814) 757-8162.

Class lunch

The Warren High School class of 1956 will meet for lunch at 1 p.m. Tuesday, March 19, at Snuffy’s.

Bridge results

Tuesday at the Allegheny community center Audrey Cable was first and Bill Massa second. At the Woman’s Club on Thursday, Lou Ann Lauger was first and Linda Jensen and Nan Cashman tied for second. At the library Thursday evening Rosemary Hanson was first with Char Hoffmann placing second.

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Results from Monday night duplicate bridge held at Warren YMCA were:

1st-Jill Dart and Ellen Ruffolo tied with Karen Cassin and Richard Woodruff with 10;

2nd-Diane Callahan and Carolyn Cooper with 7.5;

3rd-Sally Steele and Laurie Curren with 7.

Pancake supper

St. John Women’s Guild in Tidioute will be hosting another Pancake Supper on Tuesday, March 19, from 4 to 7 p.m. in St. John Center. Eat in or take out. The cost per dinner is $7 for adults, and you will receive two pancakes, two homemade country sausage patties, scrambled eggs, a beverage, and dessert. Children under age five will be a $4 cost, and they receive one pancake, one sausage patty, scrambled eggs, dessert, and a beverage.

Proceeds benefit the St. John Church “New Organ Fund.”

Allegheny Outdoor Club

Hike among the towering white pines and hemlock trees, 300 to 400 hundred years old, while enjoying nature in the Allegheny National Forest. The hike is scheduled for Wednesday, March 20, at the Hearts Content Recreation Area in an old-growth forest, a 22-acre tract deeded to the federal government in 1922 and never forested. Learn about the variety of trees in this shaded plot while traversing the easy 1.2-mile trail on this scheduled Allegheny Outdoor Club (AOC) hike.

Lunch is scheduled at the site’s pavilion — pack a small lunch, water will be provided — and the following will be a 2.5-mile hike on the Toms Run and Tanbark trail system.

Anyone interested in this first day of Spring 2019 activity is welcome to join.

Meet at the Hearts Content Recreation parking area no later than 10:45 a.m.

For further information, contact AOC member and hike leader Bill Massa at 723-2568.

Lenten Liturgical Dance

The community is invited to a special Lenten worship service at the First Presbyterian Church of Sugar Grove this Sunday, March 24, 2019, at 11 a.m., as the Mercyhurst University Liturgical Dance Ensemble will participate. Liturgical Dance reminds us there are creative ways to offer praise to our loving God. The graceful sway of the ensemble will encourage contemplation during this season of Lent. Music will be provided by church pianist Katrina Davis and FPCSG member Joe Kuna on acoustic guitar. Nourish your soul in worship with the Bread of Life, then nourish your body following worship by joining us for lunch and fellowship.

Bike Association rides

The Northern Allegheny Mountain Bike Association Wednesday night group rides will be starting March 20. The first two Wednesday night rides will be at The Trails at Jakes Rocks. Meet at the upper parking lot. The group leaves the parking lot at 6 p.m. All skill levels are welcome and encouraged to attend. The Wednesday night rides will be rotating between all of the mountain bike trails in our area. Visit ridenambapa.org for a monthly calendar.

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