radioNOVO News for Selinsgrove: July 29, 2026

RNN SELINSGROVE 07/29/26          THE CATAWISSA POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS BUMPED PART-TIME OFFICER PAY TO $35 AN HOUR TO COMBAT A SEVERE STAFFING SHORTAGE. THE WAGE INCREASE COMES AFTER A THIRD FULL-TIME OFFICER RESIGNED THIS YEAR, LEAVING THE FORCE WITH JUST TWO FULL-TIME OFFICERS. POLICE CHIEF JOSH LAIDACKER SAYS THE HIGHER PART-TIME RATE WILL REMAIN IN EFFECT UNTIL THE DEPARTMENT HIRES FOUR FULL-TIME OFFICERS.          MEANTIME, SEVERAL OTHER DEPARTMENTS IN THE AREA ARE ALSO STRUGGLING TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN OFFICERS.  BOTH BLOOMSBURG AND BERWICK RECENTLY HIRED NEW OFFICERS, BUT STILL REMAIN SHORT OF FULL DEPARTMENTS.  BOTH DEPARTMENTS WILL PAY OR REIMBURSE CADETS ATTENDING THE POLICE ACADEMY IF THEY AGREE TO WORK FOR THE DEPARTMENTS FOR AT LEAST FOUR YEARS.          THE PRELIMINARY HEARING FOR A FORMER BUCKNELL UNIVERSITY STRENGTH COACH CHARGED IN THE 2024 HAZING DEATH OF A FRESHMAN FOOTBALL PLAYER HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED TO SEPTEMBER 18TH.           34-YEAR-OLD MARK KULBIS FACES FELONY AGGRAVATED HAZING, INVOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER, AND ADDITIONAL CHARGES. AUTHORITIES SAY 18-YEAR-OLD CALVIN “CJ” DICKEY JR. COLLAPSED AND DIED AFTER BEING DIRECTED THROUGH EXTREME WORKOUTS, DESPITE KULBIS KNOWING THAT DICKEY SUFFERED FROM SICKLE CELL DISEASE.