SKOWHEGAN — Somerset County commissioners had a four-legged visitor during their regular meeting Wednesday — Kojo, the county’s newest patrol dog. Kojo — pronounced “Coy-Ooh” — visited each of the county officials at their seats Wednesday, at one point jumping with his front paws onto the commissioners’ table in a spirited greeting. “He’s only had one training session so far,” County Administrator Dawn DiBlasi told commissioners. “He has a ways to go.” Commissioners agreed 4-0 to a sale agreement to buy the 15-month-old Belgian malinois for $6,500. Sheriff Dale Lancaster told commissioners the price ordinarily would have been closer to $8,500 for the dog, but it was reduced because he was used as a demonstration dog by the breeders. Kojo is being trained in basic obedience and will start training for tracking and building searches with his handler, Cpl. David Cole. The county’s current tracking dog, Ruger, is 10 years old and will be transitioned into retirement.

Ruger is a trained drug-sniffing dog and will continue to be used in drug searches during Kojo’s training, Lancaster said. Training for Kojo is expected to take 15 to 20 weeks. Commissioners also were scheduled to approve the hiring of new patrol deputies for the Madison Division of the sheriff’s department, but Lancaster asked them to table the motion until prospective officers could undergo polygraph testing and background checks. The matter will be revisited in the coming weeks, Lancaster said. Madison police officers now are operating under the oversight of the sheriff’s department after a one-year contract between the town and county went into effect in July. The move was presented originally as a cost-saving measure by town officials and was approved by residents in June at the Town Meeting at a cost of $480,728 per year. The agreement states that the sheriff will provide five full-time deputies and one assistant executive secretary for 24-hour police coverage in Madison.

It also states that all deputies assigned to Madison are to remain in the town during regularly assigned patrol shifts and that Madison would retain its police station. Dr Dent Weight Loss ProgramIn the event of an emergency outside of Madison, deputies will respond in a way similar to that of police departments that assist neighboring towns under mutual-aid agreements, according to the contract.Cheap Dolls House Furniture Sets Uk The town previously paid about $610,000 annually for law enforcement and plans to save about $130,000 a year with the change.White Labrador Puppies For Sale In Florida Lancaster said the Madison division is down to three patrol officers from a full compliment of five officers. He said longtime Officer Joe Mitchell has retired and Officer Bret Lowell left for a job with the Augusta Police Department.

Former Madison Police Chief Barry Moores also retired, reflecting much of the projected savings in salary and benefits by the town not having to pay for a police chief. The agreement with the sheriff’s department was seen as a way to reduce municipal costs in the wake of a huge loss in tax revenue caused by a sharply reduced tax assessment of Madison Paper Industries, Lancaster said Wednesday. “I think they’re doing fairly well,” Lancaster said of the first four months of the transition. He said he is working with Madison Town Manager Tim Curtis to assure a smooth transition. He said the plan is to hire two full-time police officers and to keep one more as a reserve officer “to get them familiar with the town.” The town will have five patrol officers in place next month. None of them has been to the Maine Criminal Justice Academy, and the town will have to pick up the cost of that training program. Also on Wednesday, commissioners agreed to buy four new trucks for the sheriff’s department from Hight Chevrolet in Skowhegan for a final price, with trade allowance on the older trucks, of $92,440.

Were you interviewed for this story? If so, please fill out our accuracy form Send questions/comments to the editors.Explore Briard Briard, Briard Puppies, and more!Puppies For SaleSomersetPuppysDog PhotosFor SaleDogsPhotosI WantHeaven's Gate Duck Pond Gets Plant Makeover Heaven's Gate Rescue Dog Agility at the Taunton Flower Show Heaven's Gate Rescue Dog Agility Display Team at Forde Abbey Volunteer Coffee Morning- Somerset Centre September Barn Sale & Afternoon TeaReceive a special discount on the adoption fee by adopting a Pet of the Week!!! I don't mind telling you something happened that made me very sad, my person passed away so there was nobody to take care of me. I am not even sure how I got to the shelter but the people here are taking care of me and they are nice but I want a person of my own again. I am five years old and already neutered. I was scared when I came here because I didn't know where I was. It took a bit for me to be friendly but now I know I am safe.

I do like to sit on laps and give kisses. I have lived with other dogs, they are here too. I have not lived with cats. Nobody knows for sure what breed I am but who really cares about that. All you need to know is that I am a good boy and really want to have a home again. I wish you would stop by the shelter so we could meet, I may be just what you are looking for. I will tell you what I am looking for, a person or family to love me because I don't want to be sad anymore.I was one lucky cat. I was only eight weeks old trying to take care of myself when I was just overcome with the very high temperatures we had not so long ago. I couldn't find water and my body temperature soared. I was rescued and got some help so happily I am still here. It was quite scary but I have put that all behind me now. I am a big boy now, three and a half months old and I want a home; I never had one you know. I lived outside then here at the shelter. I heard that finding a family and forever home is the very bestest thing that can happen to me!

I am so anxious to find this out for myself so hurry up family of mine, I am here waiting for you. Stretch and Scratch for cats Cat Flea Medicine (Advantage-Hartz-Sergeant) Gas Cards for the Humane Officer's truck Monetary Donations are also needed Humane Society of Somerset CountyP.O. Box 182Somerset, PA 15501 Sun, Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri & Sat: 12-5 PM We are looking for volunteers to walk dogs, cat cuddle or to help with general housekeeping at the shelter. Volunteering at our shelter is very rewarding! Our animals love the attention, and the socialization provided by volunteers helps get them adopted more quickly. Dog walkers must be at least 18 years old and able to handle energetic dogs. If you have a few free hours each week, please give us a call at 814-443-2121. We have an Amazon Wish List of items the shelter needs. Items can be shipped directly to the shelter, making donating easy. Coco's Chocolate Champagne Extravaganza September 13, 7 PM

Join us for a night of fun as we raise money for our shelter! Chocolate Fountain * Desserts * Candies * Champagne Punch * Cash Bar * Basket Raffle * Silent Auction! We are also looking for sponsors for our basket raffle and silent auction. Please call 814-445-6048 or 814-443-9743 for more information, to buy tickets or to become a sponsor. This quilt is one of the many silent auction items that will be available at the 11th Annual Chocolate Extravaganza on Sept. 13th. Visit our table at the Scarecrow Festival and meet some of our adoptable pets. We will have various items for sale to benefit our shelter. Meet some of our adoptable pets! Hoss's Steak and Sea House, Somerset Help our shelter by eating at Hoss's in Somerset. Print and present our group's invitation, and Hoss's will donate a portion of our group's sales to our shelter. The invitation is available in PDF format here or as an image here. Donate securely using PayPal! Help reduce the number of animals in shelters!