SUNBURY —
As a class-action lawsuit regarding conditions at Northumberland County Prison heads toward a settlement, Commissioner Vinny Clausi publicly complained about how the litigation is driving up costs.
"We got hit from the civil lawsuit, and we're running a deficit at the prison," said Clausi, a Democrat.
He estimated the county will pay between $800,000 to $1 million for additional medical expenses and attorney fees as a result of the lawsuit.
The Lewisburg Prison Project sued the county, former warden Ralph Reish and the prison board on behalf of 12 current or former inmates, alleging medieval conditions at the jail and practices that violated constitutional rights.
Several issues have been addressed, including improvements in medical services, and it appears the two sides are moving toward a settlement.
But Clausi is upset that it comes at a price and could involve the county paying for the plaintiff's attorney fees.
"We didn't create this mess," he said, placing a large part of the blame on Reish. "I think the Lewisburg Prison Project filed the suit because he wasn't taking care of the prison."
Board Chairman Frank Sawicki added the issue would be addressed.
A few minutes later, the board met in executive session with its attorney to discuss the pending lawsuit. The meeting lasted 20 minutes, and no action was taken.
News
Lawsuit could cost Northumberland County $1 million
- News
-
-
Masked robber hits McClure bank
McCLURE — Police said a man with a handgun entered the MCS bank at 1 E. Specht St. just after 9 a.m., Tuesday and demanded money from a teller before making off with an undisclosed amount of cash.
-
Union County deputy excels at academy
LEWISBURG — Feel safer, Union County: A deputy sheriff received the Michael VanKuren Memorial Award for Defensive Tactics during his recent graduation from the Pennsylvania Deputy Sheriff’s Academy.
-
Shoch too good to lose, Point supervisors say
NORTHUMBERLAND — Point Township Supervisors Randy Yoxheimer and Montie Peters credit attorney Rick Shoch with helping them weather difficult years as they fended off a slew of lawsuits from developers, disgruntled former employees and residents.
-
Two firemen face trial in arsons
DANVILLE — A firefighter said “it kind of hit me hard” after two fellow firemen were charged with setting fires in Montour and Northumberland counties and calling in false alarms in Union County.
-
Lewisburg high school back on drawing board
LEWISBURG — The Lewisburg Area School District is moving forward with a flexible version of its master facilities plan with the possibility that construction, including a new Lewisburg Area High School, could begin as soon as 2015 or as late as 2018.
-
Storms knock out power to more than 700 this afternoon
SUNBURY - More than 700 homes and businesses lost electrical service this afternoon when a line of heavy thunderstorms rolled through the region.
-
Masked gunman robs McClure bank
McCLURE - Police said a man displaying a handgun entered the MCS bank in Mcclure Borough just after 9 a.m., Tuesday and demanded money from a teller before making off with an undisclosed amount of cash.
-
'To Do': Carnival
MILTON -The Lions Carnival held from 6 to 9 p.m. May 30 at Brown Avenue Park.
-
Electronic fingerprinting soon needed to provide long-term elder care
HARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania Department of Aging will soon begin using an electronic fingerprinting process to screen people applying to work in a long-term care facility or home health care agency.
-
Buggy driver falls asleep in Lancaster County; collides with bus
NEW PROVIDENCE — Pennsylvania State Police say the 15-year-old driver of a horse and buggy fell asleep at the reins and collided with a school bus.
-
17-year-old New Columbia boy in critical condition after Sunday crash
WATSONTOWN -- State police said a 17-year-old New Columbia boy is in the hospital in critical condition after the car he was driving crossed the center line on Route 405 and slammed into an oncoming car.
-
60 and Counting
The singer John Prine wrote these lines in a song titled ‘The Late John Garfield Blues: “An old man sleeps with his conscience at night. Young kids sleep with their dreams.”
- More News Headlines
-
