The lanyard draped around George Curry’s neck wasn’t there for appearance.

It was useful.

There were pens and each carried a specific meaning.

There were more keys than Crispin Field had locks.

And of course, there was the whistle.

When Mr. Curry blew that whistle, it was with a purpose. Move to the next station. Get off the field. Get out of the locker room. Stop talking. You name it, when that whistle blew, it grabbed everybody’s attention.

It had a distinct sound that resonated off the brick walls surrounding Crispin Field — a place he made a bustling hot spot on Fridays in the fall.

Photos: Berwick Football Coach George Curry

Mr. Curry, the state’s all-time winningest coach with 455 victories, died Friday morning at his home. He was 71. He was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease last year and spent time traveling to Massachusetts for treatment at the conclusion of the high school football season.

Mr. Curry, who guided the Dawgs to six state championships and three USA Today national championships, coached his final game on Nov. 20. The Dawgs lost to Scranton Prep in the District 2 Class AAA championship game.

Mr. Curry was an innovator and often looked upon for his offensive expertise. He was called a quarterback guru and mentor to some of the best to ever play the game in Northeast Pennsylvania.

Ron Powlus, Jake Kelchner, Bo Orlando, Jeremy Chapin and Dave Robbins were all highly successful quarterbacks in Mr. Curry’s program.

“When you go against a George Curry coached team it made you better as a coach,” Coughlin coach Ciro Cinti said. “If you didn’t coach your best or prepare your team the best you can, he could easily ring up 100 points on you. The best part of it all was that he wouldn’t feel sorry for you. He would tell you to get better.”

And that is exactly the way Mr. Curry lived his life. He made the people around him better.

A graduate of Larksville High School, Mr. Curry began his infatuation with football at a young age when he served as the mascot for the Larksville High School football team.

He then went on to play at Temple University before returning to the Wyoming Valley to begin his coaching career.

In 1967, the late Tony Marchakitus, an administrator within the Lake-Lehman school district needed a football coach. He looked no further than Mr. Curry.

When Mr. Curry went in for the interview, before he even got in the room, Mr. Marchakitus told Mr. Curry the job was his.

From there the legend was born.

Curry spent four years at Lake-Lehman before moving on to Berwick.

Of the 46 years Mr. Curry spent coaching high school football, 39 of them were in Berwick. During his time at Berwick he built the Dawgs into a national power, playing the likes of Cleveland St. Ignatius and HD Woodson from Washington, D.C.

He was with the Dawgs until 2005, where at a news conference announcing his retirement, he said that “35 years in one place is long enough.”

But everyone knew that he wasn’t finished. Football was in his blood and there was no way he was walking away.

Not long after stepping down at Berwick, Mr. Curry was named the head coach at Valley West. It was a contentious hiring that divided the school district. Mr. Curry coached the Spartans from 2006-08 before retiring citing health reasons.

After retiring, Mr. Curry took a job within the media. He worked as a radio analyst for high school football games in District 4, but still kept a close eye on the happenings in the Wyoming Valley Conference.

“We had a very unique relationship,” former Wyoming Area coach Paul Marranca said. “I go back with George to 1971 when I started coaching at Dunmore. The next summer we worked the Pine Forest football camp. George and I were paired together coaching the offensive centers. That was the beginning of a great friendship. It carried on for about 35 years.”

When Gary Campbell, who replaced Mr. Curry, elected to return to his old position at Wahconah High School in June 2012, the Berwick program was left in need of a football coach.

Mr. Curry came to the rescue, agreeing to return on a year-to-year basis as long as his health was in good shape.

That year-to-year agreement lasted four years, with Mr. Curry leading Berwick to the district championship game all four seasons, winning it in 2013. He led the team to the East Final, where it lost to current state power Archbishop Wood. That season Mr. Curry’s grandson, C.J., was the team’s starting quarterback.

Many believed that the 2013 season would be the last for Mr. Curry. But citing good health and a desire to continue to do what he loves, Mr. Curry carried on for two more seasons.

It wasn’t until June, just prior to the start of the 2015 season, that Mr. Curry knew his time as the head coach at Berwick was coming to an end.

In May, Berwick superintendent Wayne Brookhart shut down the program’s operations for two weeks while conducting an internal investigation regarding allegations of the recruitment of two student-athletes who transferred from Nanticoke Area to Berwick.

The program was cleared of any recruiting violations, but the two student-athletes were ruled ineligible — the transfer was made for athletic purposes, and they were prohibited from playing football in the 2015 season.

Berwick found itself embroiled in controversy in 1997 when offensive lineman Gus Felder was ruled ineligible. Mr. Felder moved from Philadelphia, where he attended high school at Dobbins Tech and Simon Gratz, to Red Rock Job Corps in Lopez.

After enrolling at Berwick, questions about his transcripts and eligibility caused District 2 officials to rule Mr. Felder ineligible during the 1997 season.

Berwick was forced to forfeit eight wins in which Mr. Felder participated and it essentially eliminated the Dawgs from postseason play. Berwick officials appealed the ruling and the PIAA overturned District 2’s decision. The Dawgs went on to win their sixth and final state championship.

“When I got the head job (at Wyoming Area), naturally you always want to strive to get your program where Berwick was,” Mr. Marranca said. “We had some of the best games down at Crispin Field. I think our rivalry grew into one of mutual respect. I used to call him Bulldog. Even when he was at Valley West, I went to one of his summer workouts, walked out on the field and called him Bulldog. He’s definitely going to be missed.”

sbennett@citizensvoice.com

570-821-2062, @CVSteveBennett

MARRIAGE LICENSES

■ Huijun Li, Scranton, and Wenyuan Xu, Cleveland, Ohio.

■ Rafael Nazario Garcia and Angie Marie Goble, both of Scranton.

■ Sarah Elizabeth Hopkins and Christopher John Amabile, both of Archbald.

■ Jessica Rose Reviello and Stephen Mark Eberle III, both of South Abington Twp.

PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS

■ Joseph T. Mullen, administrator C.T.A. of the estate of William J. Mullen, to Ronald and Marietta Urban; property at 273 Drake St., Old Forge, for $55,000.

■ John A. Bednarz Jr., administrator D.B.N.C.T.A. of the estate of Thomas J. Bednarz, to Pond Creek Farm LLC, Thornhurst Twp.; property at R Bear Lake Road, Thornhurst Twp., for $65,000.

■ Lorraine and Francis A. Dougher, Archbald; and Raymond and Ann Marie DeCarli, Mineral, Virginia, to Francis J. Benitez, Jessup; property at 443 445 Miller St., Archbald, for $87,550.

■ Robert J. III and Mary Frances Koester, Scranton, to Raymond Frey Jr., Scranton; property at 1314 Myrtle St., Scranton, for $192,500.

■ Richard W. and Dolores A. Whiteford, co-executors of the estate of Irene Marie Foley aka Irene M. Foley aka Irene Foley, to Ronald T. Berta, Peckville; property at 709 W. Grant St., Blakely, for $100,500.

■ Reverse Mortgage Solutions Inc., to Jay Simpson; property at 105 E. High St., Taylor, for $43,700.

■ James R. and Joan E. Snod-grass, Scott Twp., to Stephen P. Giacobbe-Corazzi, Peckville; property at 302 Rear Alice St., Olyphant, for $212,000.

■ Barbara Paris, individually and as executrix of the estate of Amelia A. Miller, to Paul C. Paris, Scranton; property at 2707 Swetland St., Scranton, for $45,000.

■ Paul C. Paris, Scranton, to Robert Saar and Vernee Anna Bonacci-Saar, and Kenneth Nelson and Janet Saar; property at 2707 Swetland St., Scranton, for $75,000.

DIVORCES SOUGHT

■ Maggie C. Calpin, Dunmore, v. Jeffrey C. Hemak, Peckville; married Sept. 22, 2012; Judith G. Price, attorney.

■ Judith E. Holland, Clarks Summit, v. Neil R. Holland, Clarks Summit; married March 4, 1995, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Brian J. Cali, attorney.

■Julianne Rutkowski, Palm Harbor, Fla., v. William Rutkowski, Dickson City; married Sept. 4, 1982; Marjorie DeSanto Barlow, attorney.

ESTATES FILED

■ Shirley H. Thomas aka Shirley Henley Thomas, 906 S. Abington Road, Clarks Summit, letters testamentary to Bruce Thomas, same address.

■Nancy Matthews aka Nancy Ann Mathews, 502 Ridgeview Circle, Clarks Summit, letters testamentary to Ronald Ulitchney, 225 Terrace Ave., Trucksville.

■ Robert John Charette, 1912 N. Washington Ave., Scranton, letters testamentary to Robert J. Charette Jr., 9805 Wintercress Court, Vienna, Virginia.

■ Kathleen Marie Page, 910 Decker St., Archbald, letters of administration to Kevin Page, 81 Rear Upper Powderly, Carbondale.

■ Paul Walters, 1711 N. Sumner Ave., Rear, Scranton, letters of administration to Ella Schulp, 526 N. Hyde Park Ave., Scranton.

■ Dolores Siarniak, 1320 St. Ann St., Scranton, letters testamentary to Frances Lukasik, 407 E. Sagebrush St., Litchfield Park, Arizona.

■ Joseph J. Mancuso, 1112 Clay Ave., Dunmore, letters of administration to Joseph Mancuso, 350 N. Main St., Archbald.

ONLINE: thetimes-tribune.com/courts

A local ambulance company is suing another over an alleged breach of contract, seeking more than $37,000.

Attorneys for Scranton Quincy Ambulance Co. LLC, doing business as Commonwealth Health EMS, Lackawanna Ambulance and Wayne Ambulance, filed paperwork this week in Lackawanna County Court against Dunmore-based Pennsylvania Ambulance.

The suit claims Pennsylvania Ambulance did not honor an agreement in effect from November 2014 until early March between the two agencies. Under the agreement, Scranton Quincy Ambulance personnel were to provide advanced life-support paramedic care on Pennsylvania Ambulance calls as needed for a fee. The agreement was applicable to calls involving Medicare patients, according to the lawsuit.

The contract stipulated Pennsylvania Ambulance would pay $205 or $275 per call, depending on the level of care provided, according to court documents. However, attorneys for Scranton Quincy Ambulance Co. claim their client was never paid, despite regular invoicing and requests for payment.

Scranton Quincy Ambulance Co. is now asking for $37,845.41, which includes interest on the money owed.

Scranton Quincy Ambulance Co. is represented by attorneys Christian Francis and Stuart O’Neal with the Kingston office of the Burns White law firm. Representatives from Pennsylvania Ambulance could not be reached for comment.

Contact the writer:

cover@timesshamrock.com,

@ClaytonOver on Twitter

GCMC opens new pedestrian bridge

SCRANTON — The pedestrian bridge over Colfax Avenue, linking Geisinger Community Medical Center’s parking garage to the hospital, is now open to foot traffic.

The bridge will be open Monday through Friday from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. Patients scheduled for surgery, cardiac catheterization and electrophysiology testing can use the bridge for easy access to the operating suite from the garage. Other patients and visitors will continue to use the main hospital entrance on Mulberry Street or the free valet parking at the main entrance. The Colfax Avenue entrance will return to an employee-only entrance and will be closed to the public.

The bridge is not open weekends and holidays.

— STAFF REPORT

Man charged with assaulting officers

PITTSTON — A West Pitts-ton man kicked, punched and tried to bite officers who took him to a hospital for treatment following a suspected DUI, according to police.

The March 26 incident began when a van driven by Casimir Kizis III, 50, struck another vehicle at the Burger King in Pittston, police said.

After the other driver called 911, officers found Mr. Kizis in his van with the engine running. He fought officers there, refused to take a blood test at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital. then fought officers again, police said.

He was charged with assault of a law enforcement officer, aggravated assault and related counts. He was sent to Luzerne County Correctional Facility in lieu of $25,000 bail.

— ERIC MARK

Abingtons

Alternative service: Countryside Community Church Common Ground Alternative service, Sunday, 6 p.m., 14011 Orchard Drive, Clarks Summit; 570-587-3206 or www.countryside-church.org.

Clifford

Church dinner: Clifford United Methodist Church chicken-n-biscuit or ham dinner, April 26, 4-6 p.m., Main Street, $8.95, takeouts available.

East Scranton

Casino trip: East Scranton Seniors Sands Casino bus trip, April 26, leaves Price Chopper, Monroe Avenue, Dunmore, 9 a.m., returns, 4:30 p.m., $22/$20, $5 food voucher; Isabel, 570-347-7394, or Tom, 570-430-1441.

Hamlin

Bingo event: Hamlin Fire and Rescue bingo, Sundays year- round, Wednesdays, May 18-Oct. 19, bingo hall (behind fire hall on hill), doors open, 5 p.m., games start, 6, smoke-free environment.

Jefferson Twp.

Breakfast buffet: Jefferson Twp. Volunteer Fire Company all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet, Sunday, 8 a.m.-noon, 405 Cortez Road (intersection of Route 348), Mount Cobb.

Jessup

Annual dinner: Jessup Democratic Organization takeout-only chicken Parmesan/pasta dinner by Billy “G” Genovese, April 10, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Caverna, 602 Church St., $12; from committee or at Caverna, 570-489-1888.

Lackawanna County

Golf tournament: Friends of Kiel Eigen eighth annual Tee Time for Kiel Golf Tournament, June 12, registration/lunch, 11:30 a.m., shotgun start, 1 p.m., Sand Springs Golf Club, captain- and-crew format, $100/player, includes lunch, golf fees, dinner, beverage on course, hot dog at turn, complimentary driving range, prizes; Nick Lisowski, 570-815-8579, fees must accompany registration, return forms to Tee Time for Kiel Committee, 121 Corcoran St., Old Forge, PA 18518.

Health fair: Lackawanna County Medical Society 12th First Friday Scranton Health Fair, June 3, 6-9 p.m., Lackawanna County Courthouse Square, Scranton, hospital services, private physician offices, public health education, local ancillary services, free health screenings, children’s activities and entertainment; 570-344-3616 or lcms@lackmedsoc.org.

Madisonville

Mud run: Madisonville Independent Fire Company Mud Run, Aug. 20, fire station grounds, one-mile course, $50, $40/each group of 10 or more registered by June 30, $60/July 1-30; www.madmudder.org.

Midvalley

Vets night: Mid Valley Rotary Vietnam Veterans Night Tuesday, at 5:30 p.m., Valley Community Library, 739 River St., Peckville, all armed service veterans welcome.

Regional

Rock/mineral show: Mineral­ogical Society of Northeast Pennsylvania 13th annual Treas­ures of the Earth rock and mineral show, April 30, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., May 1, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., St. Joseph’s Oblates, 1880 Highway 315, Pittston; mineral specimens, fossils, gems, jewelry, supplies; programs, classes; free kids’ activities in DinoLand, raffles, mineral and fossil identification and geological literature; $3/adults, free/12 and under, military and scouts in uniform; free parking, food vendor; George Walko, 570-200-5987, or Linda Williams, 717-319-8334, or www.msnepa.org.

Coaches’ gala: Coaches vs. Cancer fourth annual Coaches Gala, the BasketBall, May 14, 6 p.m., Mohegan Sun Pocono ballroom, silent and live auction, dinner, B Street Band; black tie optional, sneakers preferred, freethrow shooting in tuxes and gowns; $150; cvcbasketball.org.

Watershed program: Penn State Extension Lackawanna, Luzerne and Wyoming County offices accepting applications for the 2016 Master Watershed Steward Program, Wednesdays, June 1-Aug. 31, 6-8:30 p.m., at partnering environmental organizations, fee helps offset material costs, speakers’ fees; hardship scholarships available, information sessions: April 5, Wyoming County Extension Office; April 14, Luzerne County Extension Office; April 18, Penn State Worthington Campus, Dunmore; 6:30-8:30 p.m.; Mike Balk, 610-746-1970, mdb5612@psu.edu, extension.psu.edu/Luzerne.

Scranton

AARP meeting: AARP Chapter 3731 meeting, Monday, 1:30 p.m., Keyser Valley Community Center, 101 N. Keyser Ave., Griffin Pond Animal Shelter collection; guest speaker: Fran Tartella, Anthracite Heritage Museum.

Social gathering: Cathedral “64” graduates get-together, April 13, 6 p.m., Stirna’s, Market Street; 570-344-2974.

South Scranton

Free meal: St. Stanislaus Youth Center, free hot meal, today, 1-3 p.m., 530 E. Elm St.; 570-343-6017.

West Scranton

Seniors meet: Sloan Senior Citizens meet Tuesday, 1:30 p.m., SS. Peter and Paul Church Hall, 1309 W. Locust St.; refreshments and bingo follow.

CLIPBOARD ITEMS may be emailed to yesdesk@timesshamrock.com or mailed to Clipboard, c/o the YES!Desk at 149 Penn Ave., Scranton, 18503. YES!Desk, 570-348-9121.

SCRANTON — There will be no parkour class this weekend at Dunmore Elementary Center.

The instructor, John George, acknowledged he did not receive permission, and Dunmore Superintendent Richard McDonald said no permission will be given.

Parkour is a sport in which participants run, jump, climb and balance their way through their surroundings, such as handrails on a stairwell. For information on future classes, visit scrantonparkour.com.

— STAFF REPORT

WILKES-BARRE — A gas sale earlier this year has led to a class-action lawsuit alleging Uni-Mart engaged in deceptive business practices by charging credit-card prices to debit- card users.

The lawsuit alleges Exeter resident Cataldo Saitta bought approximately 4½ gallons of gas at the Uni-Mart at 805 Shoemaker Ave., West Wyoming, on Jan. 3 and paid for it with a debit card but was charged the higher credit-card price for the gas.

The complaint was filed in Luzerne County court Thursday by attorneys from the Philadelphia law firm Anapol Weiss and West Pittston attorney Michael J. Cefalo.

The business’ advertisements on that day did not differentiate between rates for customers paying by credit card, debit card or cash, the complaint says.

The lawsuit was filed as a class action, open to all others in similar circumstances because debit cards are not subject to the same transaction fees as are credit cards, Mr. Cefalo said.

“You don’t have to pay a fee for (debit cards),” he said. “They get charged the credit price, and it’s not fair.”

An official at Uni-Mart did not immediately return a message seeking comment Friday.

The lawsuit targets Uni-Marts LLC, based in State College, as well as the location in West Wyoming.

The suit’s potential class could be very large. According to the complaint, 40 percent of consumers used credit cards to buy gas last year, with an additional 38 percent using debit cards.

The complaint alleges Uni-Mart violated state law and misrepresented the discounted purchase price by failing to clearly advertise the conditions needed to receive the discount price.

Uni-Mart signs advertised a discount of five cents per gallon discount for cash but failed to disclose that customers using debit cards would not get that discount, according to the complaint.

“Uni-Marts’ deceptive pricing scheme advertised a discounted ‘cash’ price as compared to the credit price but was silent as to the price-per-gallon charge for debit card purchases,” the complaint alleges.

The lawsuit, which alleges violations of the state’s Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law, seeks unspecified damages.

Sadie Martin, spokeswoman for the state attorney general’s office, said businesses can violate that law by failing to disclose they are charging extra fees to credit or debit card users.

They could also be in violation for failing to differentiate bet-ween fees charged for different types of cards, she said.

“If it’s in any way confusing ... then it would be a violation of the Consumer Protection Act,” Ms. Martin said.

Consumers with concerns may contact the Bureau of Consumer Protection at 800-441-2555.

Contact the writer:

SCRANTON — U.S. Sen. Bob Casey will host the grand opening today of Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton’s downtown Scranton campaign office. The office is at 431 Wyoming Ave. The event starts at 1 p.m.

More election coverage appears on Page A7.

— BORYS KRAWCZENIUK

DUNMORE — Pennsylvania American Water’s $195 million proposal to buy the Scranton Sewer Authority won over most of Dunmore’s elected representatives.

More than two years ago, borough council opposed privatizing the public utility and directed its solicitor to research whether Dunmore has any legal options to block the effort, given the borough representative has only one of the five votes on the authority board.

By this week, Dunmore’s representative on the Scranton Sewer Authority — borough council President Michael McHale — voted with Scranton’s representatives as the board approved the sale Monday. Leading up to the decision, Mr. McHale said he would vote how council wanted.

Council’s original concerns centered on fears that a for-profit company would hike rates to get a return on its investment. Several members said they supported the plan after they saw details about how the agreement will affect the rates.

“Our top priority was the ratepayers,” council Vice President Michael Dempsey said in an email. “According to the agreement and the information provided to me, there will be a long-term significant savings to the ratepayers. ... Another top priority was the current employees of SSA. Again, according to the agreement and the information provided to me, all of the current employees would maintain their employment and benefits at a comparable rate.”

The authority began exploring privatization a few years ago as a way to reduce the impact on customers of $140 million in federally mandated upgrades to prevent pollution of the Lackawanna River.

The project threatened to drive up rates 4.57 percent a year for 30 years, but Pennsylvania American Water agreed to increase rates an average of 1.9 percent over the next 10 years, after which higher rates would be phased in over time.

Before the sale, Pennsylvania American Water projected the monthly bill for a customer using 4,000 gallons would rise from $39.50 in 2016 to $90.63 in 2028 and eventually to $146.83 by 2046, while under the private company, the bill would total $77.47 in 2028 and $116.64 in 2046.

An important factor is the company’s ability to spread out costs of capital projects among a larger customer base. Councilman Timothy Burke expressed skepticism about how much that will help Lackawanna County ratepayers over time as they eventually subsidize other projects, too.

Mr. Dempsey was under the impression Mr. McHale had the entire council’s approval when he voted yes, but Mr. Burke said he remains against the sale.

Mr. Burke said council never took a formal vote, and if it did, he is not sure he would have been able to weigh in because he works for the authority. However, if he had a say, Mr. Burke said he would vote no.

“I am never for the sale of an asset,” he said. “Dunmore borough doesn’t need the money.”

When council, in executive session, discussed the sale, which still needs approval from state and federal regulators, Mr. Burke said he did not object specifically to it, knowing Scranton already had the votes anyway. However, he previously expressed his reservations at a public meeting.

Mr. McHale did not return several messages this week.

Consultants estimated the sale will net $96 million for Scranton and $24 million for Dunmore. Mr. Burke fears borough residents will end up indirectly subsidizing part of Scranton’s financial recovery.

Councilman Thomas Hallinan said council has not yet decided what to do with the money, but his preference is paying down a portion of the borough’s debt, perhaps setting some money aside for a capital project and keeping the rest in the bank to accrue interest.

Contact the writer:

kwind@timesshamrock.com,

@kwindTT on Twitter

Brian J. Cali

& Associates

Brian J. Cali has been reappointed as a member of the Disciplinary Board of Pennsylvania for a second term of three years commencing April 1. Mr. Cali is chairman of the finance committee of the board. He is a 1977 graduate of Duquesne University Law School and is the managing partner of the law firm.

Carbon Chamber and Economic Development Corp.

Marlyn Linski Kissner, executive director of the chamber and vice president of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber, has been named one of the Top 25 Women in Business in Northeast PA. An awards presentation honoring these women will take place in May. Mrs. Kissner was hired as a consultant for the chamber in 2012. She had an influential role in the merger between the Carbon Chamber of Commerce and the Carbon Economic Development, leading to the creation of the CCEDC. She has continued in a leadership role with the CCEDC, developing membership relations, creating events and doing community outreach. In January 2014, she became the executive director. She earned a Master of Science in management from Rosemont College, as well as a Bachelor of Science in education from Kutztown University.

Commonwealth Health Regional Hospital of Scranton

Kevin Colleran, M.D., orthopedic surgeon, will present a free lecture, “Current Concepts in Shoulder Replacement Surgery,” on April 27 at 6 p.m. in the McGowan Conference Room (second floor) at Regional Hospital, 746 Jefferson Ave., Scranton.

Giant Food Stores

Wanda Parnay, district director, has been recognized by The Griffin Report, a leading retail food industry trade publication, among its 2016 Women of Influence in the Food Industry. Ms. Parnay has worked for the company for more than 26 years and oversees operations for stores located in Northeast Pennsylvania, including Scranton, Wilkes-Barre and Williamsport.

Jennings

Environmental Management Inc.

Meredith Reese celebrated her two-year anniversary as an assistant administrator and has now been promoted to executive administrator. In her new role, she is responsible for administrative operations and field support.

Marietta College

Marietta College Emeritus Professor Robert W. Chase, Ph.D., a Scranton native, has been awarded the 2016 OOGEEP Pipeline Award for his positive contributions to Ohio and the state’s oil and gas industry. Dr. Chase served as head of the world-renowned Edwy R. Brown department of petroleum engineering and geology at Marietta College for 37 years. Dr. Chase holds bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in petroleum engineering from Pennsylvania State University. He is a registered professional engineer in Ohio. He was chairman and Benedum Professor of the Edwy R. Brown department of petroleum engineering and geology at Marietta College from 1978 to 2015. Dr. Chase holds a patent on a particular method of stimulating underground rock formations. He has held numerous positions with the Society of Professional Engineers, including member of the board of directors.

Misericordia University

James Siberski, M.S., C.M.C., CRmT, assistant professor of gerontology and director of the geriatric care management graduate certificate program, will make the presentation, “Boomers and Millennials: Are You Ready,” at the 2016 Aging in Arizona State Conference in Flagstaff on May 19 and 20. He will outline how health care professionals and staff members need to understand how to work with various generations, such as baby boomers and millennials. Mr. Siberski will discuss the importance of developing policies, which tackle issues of sexuality, and marijuana and other drugs baby boomers may be using.

The university awarded tenure and promotion to five members of the faculty. Joseph Curran, Ph.D., Dallas, was promoted to professor of religious studies; Amanda M. Caleb, Ph.D., Dallas, was promoted to associate professor of English and tenured; Kelly Filipkowski, Ph.D., Wyoming, was promoted to associate professor of psychology and tenured; David Gargone, Ed.D., Dickson City, was promoted to associate professor of business and tenured; and Kathleen Sheikh, Ph.D., F.N.P.-B.C., C.N.E., Mountaintop, was promoted to associate professor of nursing and tenured.

Dr. Curran is executive director of the Ethics Institute of Northeastern Pennsylvania and chair of the department of religious studies. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Scranton and his doctorate in theological ethics from Boston College. A member of the faculty since 2005, he teaches classes in world religions, theology and the human experience, Catholicism and Christian thought.

Dr. Caleb joined the faculty in 2010. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in English literature and gender studies from Davidson College, Davidson, North Carolina, and received her master’s degree in 19th century studies and doctorate in English literature from the University of Sheffield, Sheffield, England. Previously, Dr. Caleb was a lecturer at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She has taught a variety of courses, including literature and medicine, fairy and folk tales, Victorian literature and British romanticism.

Dr. Filipkowski, a member of the faculty since 2010, earned her doctorate and master’s degrees in social psychology from Syracuse University. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from the State University of New York at Oswego and a Master of Science in sports psychology from Florida State University, Tallahassee. She has taught classes in social psychology, sport psychology and health psychology, and a seminar in social exclusion.

Dr. Gargone is director of the sport management program and joined the faculty in 2010. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business management from the University of Scranton, an M.A.T. in secondary education from Rockford College, Rockford, Illinois, and a doctorate in sports management from the United States Sports Academy, Daphne, Alabama, where he previously worked as a teaching assistant. He teaches a variety of courses in the undergraduate and graduate business programs, including advanced sports marketing, marketing management and leadership. Recently, he wrote an article on the study of fan motives for varying levels of team identity and team loyalty of college football fans for The Sport Journal, and co-authored the article “Who let the dogs out: Should a stadium owner be held liable for injuries sustained from a mascot’s errant hot dog toss?” published in the “Entertainment, Publishing and the Arts Handbook” (2015).

Dr. Sheikh is nationally certified as a family nurse practitioner and certified as a nurse educator. A member of the faculty since 2009, she teaches in both the undergraduate and graduate nursing programs. Her research focuses on patient-centered care, health care decision-making and health care of vulnerable populations. She is a member of Sigma Theta Tau International, Theta Phi Chapter at the university. Dr. Sheikh holds a doctorate from Widener University, a Master of Science in nursing from Misericordia University and a Bachelor of Science in nursing from Villanova University.

Pike County Center for Developmental Disabilities

Attorneys Kelly Gaughan and John Klemeyer were the emcees for the 18th annual Chefs Do Dinner held at the Best Western in Westfall Twp. The event focused on much-needed services the CDD provides to children with developmental disabilities in Pike County.

Realty Network Group

Dianne Montana, an associate broker, has been awarded the Seniors Real Estate Specialist designation by the Seniors Real Estate Specialist Council of the National Association of Realtors. Ms. Montana joins more than 16,000 real estate professionals in North America who have earned the SRES designation. All were required to complete a comprehensive course in understanding the needs, considerations and goals of real estate buyers and sellers aged 55 and older. She has a decade of experience in connecting buyers and sellers through real estate sales.

State Voices

Matthew G. Zebrowski, Ph.D., of Laflin, has been named development communications manager for the Washington, D.C., nonpartisan network of civic engagement organizations in 20 states. Dr. Zebrowski works with the directors of each state’s organizations to develop effective strategies to describe their work. Previously, he pursued communications research in academia, where he studied marketing and branding at the overlap of the private and nonprofit sectors. Dr. Zebrowski holds a Ph.D. from Carnegie-Mellon University, a Master of Arts from Temple University and a Bachelor of Arts from Wilkes University.

Wayne Pike

Building Industry Association

Maria Coutts of Forest Homes of Lake Wallenpaupack has been elected regional vice president of the Northeast region for the Pennsylvania Builders Association. Ms. Coutts was installed at the PBA Installation & Awards Banquet on March 18 at the Omni Bedford Springs Resort. She will serve on the board of directors and is responsible for overseeing the association’s activities to ensure it is properly representing and addressing the needs of the building industry. She will represent Northeast Pennsylvania, which includes Wayne, Pike, Carbon, Monroe, Lackawanna and Luzerne counties. Ms. Coutts is a member of the Wayne Pike BIA, where she serves as immediate past president. Also, she serves as a regional trustee for the National Association of Home Builders Professional Women in Building Council and on the board of directors for the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency.

Weitsman Recycling

The company has hired Matt Schroth, who brings extensive experience to his new role as vice president of commercial and expansion. Mr. Schroth will focus his efforts on expanding the company in various markets, beginning primarily with its recent foray into the western Pennsylvania market with its New Castle retail scrap yard and shredder, which will open in the spring. The shredder is the first step in a multimillion-dollar expansion planned for the region. Primarily, the company operates throughout upstate New York and southern Pennsylvania.

Wright Center

for Graduate

Medical Education

Melissa Doherty has been promoted to accounting manager. She graduated from Bloomsburg University with a Bachelor of Science in accounting and has been with the center since 2010.

Laura Jeffrey attained her Society for Human Resource Management senior certified professional certification and was promoted to human resources manager in late 2015. She earned her Bachelor of Science in human resource management from King’s College and has been with the center since January 2014.

Stephen Bennett has been promoted to grants accountant. He earned his Bachelor of Science in accounting from Bloomsburg University and started with the center in February 2015 as an accounting assistant.

SUBMIT PEOPLE ON THE MOVE items to business@timesshamrock.com or The Times-Tribune, 149 Penn Ave., Scranton, PA 18503.

Mike Britton

Wanted by: Scranton office, state Board of Probation and Parole.

Fugitive since:

March 18.

Wanted for: Possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute. Sentenced to four to 10 years of incarceration. Paroled Feb. 4, 2015.

Description: Black man, 36 years old, 6 feet tall, 200 pounds, bald, brown eyes, “Love and Loyalty” tattoo on his neck.

Aliases: Nyeri Williams, James Dovontey.

Contact: Agent Terry Vieney, 570-963-4271.

Byrum Shaki-El

Wanted by: Scranton office, state Board of Probation and Parole.

Fugitive since:

Jan. 28.

Wanted for: Possession with intent to deliver and possession of paraphernalia. Sentenced to two years, eight months to six years, six months of incarceration. Paroled Oct. 27, 2014.

Description: Black man, 36 years old, 5 feet 9 inches tall, 160 pounds, bald, brown eyes.

Contact: Agent Gary Demuth, 570-614-7244.

David Harrison

Wanted by: Scranton office, state Board of Probation and Parole.

Fugitive since: Sept. 27, 2010.

Wanted for: Possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute. Sentenced to one year, six months to six years of incarceration. Paroled June 16, 2008.

Description: Black man, 45 years old, 5 feet 6 inches tall, 180 pounds, black hair, brown eyes.

Contact: Agent Terry Vieney, 570-963-4271.

James Pascoe

Wanted by: Scranton office, state Board of Probation and Parole.

Fugitive since:

Dec. 10.

Wanted for: Possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute and escape from detention. Sentenced to two years, seven months and 15 days to eight years of incarceration. Paroled Dec. 3, 2012.

Description: White man, 30 years old, 5 feet 8 inches tall, 215 pounds, brown hair, hazel eyes.

Contact: Agent Derek Berry 570-614-7285.

Frank Pometti

Wanted by: Scranton office, state Board of Probation and Parole.

Fugitive since:

March 21.

Wanted for: Possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute. Sentenced to one year, six months to 10 years of incarceration. Paroled Dec. 24, 2015.

Description: White man, 50 years old, 6 feet tall, 230 pounds, brown hair, brown eyes.

Contact: Agent Derek Berry, 570-614-7285.

TAYLOR — Borough police said they are preparing to arrest high-profile meat thieves caught on supermarket surveillance cameras.

Taylor police circulated detailed images of the suspects taken at the Price Chopper on North Main Street and received a strong response from citizens who believed they recognized the duo. A Taylor police officer said Saturday charges were expected to be filed soon.

The two repeatedly robbed from the store in February and March, police said, removing about $1,000 worth of meat.

— DAVID FALCHEK

While a will is a legal document that allows you to decide who receives your property after you die, a living will allows you to decide what medical treatment you want to keep you alive. Stated another way, a living will allows you to die on your own terms.

In Pennsylvania, there are actually two types of written documents that can be used for your medical decisions: a living will and the broader health care power of attorney. These advance directives can be made by any person of sound mind who is at least 18 years old; or even a person under age 18 who is a high school graduate, married or emancipated.

A living will provides written instructions as to what life-sustaining treatment you want or do not want, such as a feeding tube, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, ventilator, surgery or even antibiotics. These important decisions should be discussed with your family, physician or clergy before you make a living will.

Even after you make a living will, it will not take effect until three things happen:

■ A copy of the living will is given to your medical provider.

■ Your doctor determines that you are incompetent, meaning you cannot understand, make or communicate medical decisions for yourself.

■ Your doctor determines that you are either permanently unconscious (such as a permanent coma), or suffer from an end-stage medical condition. An end-stage medical condition is an incurable and irreversible medical condition in an advanced state that will result in death even with medical treatment, like terminal cancer.

Except for certain situations with a pregnant woman, your doctor must follow the instructions in your living will, or transfer your care to another doctor who will. Your doctor cannot be held civilly or criminally liable if he or she follows, in good faith, your instructions in a written living will.

The other type of advance directive is a health care power of attorney. This document will take effect if you are incompetent, even if you are not permanently unconscious or suffering from an end-stage condition (and, therefore, is broader than a living will). In your health care power of attorney, you can:

■ Authorize someone you trust to make medical decisions on your behalf (called a health care agent), and place limits on the types of decisions he or she can make. You cannot appoint your doctor or an employee of a medical facility treating you.

■ Give written instructions to help your health care agent make decisions.

■ Specify whether your health care agent can make decisions if you are still competent, or only if you become incompetent.

■ Disqualify a specific person from making medical decisions for you.

If you make a living will or a health care power of attorney, you are still in charge of your medical decisions as long as you are competent and able to do so. Also, regardless of your physical or mental condition, you may override any decision by the person you appointed if it involves withholding life-sustaining treatment.

Copies of your living will and health care power of attorney should be given to your doctor, hospital, the person you appointed as your health care agent, and appropriate family members.

A living will can be revoked at any time, regardless of your mental or physical condition, even by oral instructions to your doctor. However, your health care power of attorney can only be changed in writing or revoked (in writing or by telling your doctor) if you are of sound mind. If you draft a new living will or health care power of attorney, you should destroy all old copies and give the new one to your doctor, hospital and family members.

If you become incompetent and do not have a living will or a health care power of attorney, the law allows someone (called a health care representative) to make medical decisions on your behalf (with some limitations), in the following order of priority, unless you have specified otherwise:

■ Your spouse and your adult children who are not the children of your spouse.

■ Your adult children.

■ Your parents.

■ Your adult brothers or sisters.

■ Your adult grandchildren.

■ Any adult who has knowledge of your values and beliefs, such as a close friend or other relative.

As you can see, without a living will or health care power of attorney, there may be multiple people who can weigh in on your medical decisions, and this may lead to disagreements.

Living wills and health care power of attorneys are not just for those of advanced age or already suffering from a terminal illness. A life-threatening illness or injury can come unexpectedly, such as from an accident. If you do not have an advance directive and you become incapacitated, your loved ones are left to guess, “what would he or she want?”

Remember, living wills and health care powers of attorney only cover medical decisions, and do not apply to financial, legal or other decisions which need to be made if you become incapacitated. Other legal documents, such as a power of attorney, allow someone to make financial or other decisions if you are unable to do so.

Advance directives give you a say in what medical treatment you want, or don’t want. By making your wishes known in advance, you can avoid having your loved ones make agonizing decisions about your medical treatment.

CHRISTINE S. LEZINSKI has been an attorney with the law firm of Lenahan & Dempsey, P.C. for the past 22 years. She focuses her practice on representing plaintiffs in personal injury and insurance bad faith. Visit the firm’s website at www.lenahandempsey.com. This article is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute legal advice. For specific legal advice, please contact an attorney.

PITTSTON — Geisinger Health System had a presence on Main Street in Pittston for years, but the city and the company worked together to expand that presence into a new facility.

The Community Practice building at 40 N. Main St. opened in September, the culmination of cooperation between the city’s Main Street manager and Geisinger officials who wanted to expand the care Geisinger could offer the Pittston area.

“We thought it would be the natural next step,” said Kathy Lloyd, associate vice president of community practice for Geisinger’s Northeast region.

Pittston Main Street Manager Rose Randazzo said she originally reached out to Geisinger when she heard they might sell their previous Geisinger Pittston Clinic. That building still stands across the street from the Community Practice building and will be converted into a pediatric facility.

“We got very lucky with them wanting to be on Main Street again,” Ms. Randazzo said. “They needed more space, they were growing corporately and they wanted to have urgent care available.”

Ms. Randazzo worked with Geisinger officials to choose a site that would fit the facility’s needs, including availability of parking in the downtown area.

The site across the street from the original clinic eventually proved ideal.

“Because this site was on a hill there was enough where you can do an underground garage,” Ms. Randazzo said. “It was just the perfect site for them.”

Ms. Lloyd said the facility has done amazingly well, bringing in an “extraordinary amount,” of new patients since it opened.

The new clinic covers 17,000 square feet of space and is staffed by 27 employees. It features two phlebotomy stations, more than 20 exam rooms and a full-time lab technician on staff.

The facility also features an on-site X-ray machine which officials say will help local patients avoid driving to Wilkes-Barre or Scranton to have X-rays.

Ms. Lloyd noted a Careworks facility, Geisinger’s urgent care unit, is set to open at the Pittston location in mid-spring. The unit will be open from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

Ms. Lloyd said opening an urgent care facility in Pittston can have the added benefit of alleviating the volume of patients in Geisinger’s emergency rooms by giving local patients a more convenient place to go for immediate health needs.

Ms. Randazzo said keeping healthcare on Main Street helps toward her goal of providing as many services as possible within walking distance for Pittston residents.

“My job is to try to see what’s missing and what we can bring ... to fill in the gaps,” she said. “Once (Geisinger) decided that they wanted to be on Main Street, they did a fantastic facility.”

Contact the writer:

sscinto@citizensvoice.com,

@sscintoCV on Twitter

Redistricting, popular incumbents and a last-minute candidate withdrawal means a lack of choice for local voters in some congressional and state House elections this year.

The Democratic and Republican parties have at least one candidate, but usually just one, in most local races on the April 26 primary election ballot. Exceptions are the 112th House District race on the Democratic side (three candidates) and the 17th Congressional District on the Republican side (two candidates).

When there’s only one candidate in each party, there’s no choice for voters in a primary. In several instances, a party couldn’t find a candidate to run.

“Both parties look to recruit as many candidates as they can for each office,” said Lance Stange, chairman of the Lackawanna County Republican Party. “Sometimes, you just don’t have the good fortune of finding someone willing to run.”

Many factors play into a potential candidate’s decision to run for a seat. Maybe, an incumbent enjoys too great a financial advantage or the advantage of other political factors.

Voting demographics make a big difference. In Lackawanna County, where Democrats outnumber Republicans 2½ to 1, Democrats have fared well historically in finding state House candidates, but county Democratic chairman Chris Patrick said redistricting has hurt Democrats in other parts of the region. Mr. Patrick said redistricting created Republican-dominated districts and discouraged Democrats from running.

“How a lot of these districts end up uncontested is the gerrymandering that went on in 2010,” said Mr. Patrick. “When the Republicans were in control, they set up a lot of districts where many Republicans will never have opposition.”

Barring a third-party or write-in candidate, U.S. Rep. Tom Marino, R-10, Lycoming Twp., will run unopposed this year.

“(The 10th) is such a strong Republican district, and people saw how the opposition — Scott Brion — fared the last time,” Mr. Patrick said. “At the end of the day, even if someone ran from Lackawanna County and got every vote in Lackawanna County, there just isn’t enough votes.”

Mr. Marino beat Mr. Brion by more than 68,114 votes in 2014.

A would-be candidate could also decide an incumbent is too popular with constituents.

“Sometimes, a potential candidate realizes that the people are satisfied with the representation they’re getting from an incumbent and will decide not to run,” Mr. Stange said.

In recent years, the county Republican Party succeeded in finding plenty of candidates to run in local elections.

“At the municipal level in 2011, we tried seriously to recruit local candidates, and we had 30 percent more candidates than in 2007,” Mr. Stange said. “Seventy-five percent of our candidates went on to win in 2011. In 2015, we had 154 candidates on the ballot and 86 percent won.”

Nevertheless, surprises happen.

John Kowalski, the candidate Republicans assumed would run against incumbent State Rep. Mike Carroll, D-118, Avoca, withdrew.

“Once we had recruited a candidate, we stopped,” Mr. Stange said. “If a candidate withdraws, there could be a case where you don’t have a fallback.”

Which means Mr. Carroll is now running unopposed in the primary and general elections.

Once recruiting candidates is over, party leaders forget about the races in which they have no candidates and concentrate on winnable races.

“You put the effort in, but when you’ve exhausted your potential candidates, you go forward and help the candidates that you can to the best of your abilities,” Mr. Stange said.

Contact the writer:

jhorvath@timesshamrock.com,

@jhorvathTT on Twitter

Local races

Running unopposed in the Nov. 8 general election, barring any third-party or write-in candidates, are:

• U.S. Rep. Tom Marino, R-10, Lycoming Twp.

• State Rep. Karen Boback, R-117, Harveys Lake

• State Rep. Mike Carroll, D-118, Avoca

• State Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski, D-121, Wilkes-Barre

• State Rep. Michael Peifer, R-139, Greene Twp.

Contested races in the Nov. 8 general election are:

• 11th Congressional District — Republican U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta, Hazleton, v. Democrat Michael Paul Marsicano, Hazle Twp.

• 17th Congressional District — Democratic U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright v. one of two Republicans, Glenn Geissinger or Matt Connolly

• 112th state House District — Republican Ernest Lemoncelli v. one of three Democrats, state Rep. Frank Farinia, former Rep. Kevin Haggerty or Throop Council President Thomas Lukasewicz.

• 113th state House District — Democrat Marty Flynn, Scranton, v. Republican David Burgerhoff, Scranton

• 114th state House District — Democrat Sid Michaels Kavulich, Taylor, v. Republican Cheryl Lynn Scandale-Murnin, Waverly Twp.

• 116th state House District — Republican Tarah Toohil, Butler Twp., v. Democrat Gary Gregory, Conyngham

• 119th state House District — Democrat Gerald Mullery, Newport Twp., v. Republican Justin Valera Behrens, Wright Twp.

• 120th state House District — Republican Aaron D. Kaufer, Kingston, v. Democrat Robert John McDonald, Kingston

— STAFF REPORT

Ron Hillard knows he is blessed.

Thirteen years ago, he looked for a way to share his blessings.

Mr. Hillard, who worked as a biomedical engineer, started a medical clinic next to Back Mountain Harvest Assembly. With the help of his wife at the time and a local doctor, they opened up the small clinic in a house next to the church.

They saw about 400 people that year, Mr. Hillard remembers. They called it the Hope Center.

Last year, more than 5,300 patients visited the center for help.

The center started with three volunteers. Now, more than 60 volunteers help each year with a variety of services.

Uninsured and underinsured clients use the center for everything from dental hygiene to audiology to physical and occupational therapy. People can also get free legal advice and Christian counseling.

On a Thursday in February, patients were greeted by Kathy Heffner and Sarah Derhammer, both retired, who called themselves “Frick and Frack” and their “trainee,” 22-year-old Marisa Del Gaudio. She is going to physician assistant school at Marywood University in the fall and was there to gain volunteering experience.

Volunteering, they said, is a way to give back and feel good themselves.

“It makes our problems go away,” Ms. Derhammer said.

“It’s almost like a party,” Ms. Heffner said.

The trio helped check in James Levitski, who was at the center to see a chiropractor. At the center, a professional will help him with stretching his neck and shoulder for free. Elsewhere, he would have had to pay out of pocket, which would have been difficult.

“If you have a problem, they’re more than welcoming,” he said.

The center sees patients without insurance and those who have insurance that doesn’t cover certain conditions. Uninsured patients might be self-employed or unemployed, not able to get insurance through their employer or be between jobs. The underinsured might be military veterans who can’t or won’t go to a Veterans Administration hospital or people with Medicare, which doesn’t cover all medical expenses or expenses for most dental care or eye exams.

“We’re trying to work through the holes in the government system so we don’t leave anyone behind. We don’t want to leave anyone behind,” said Pat Colladay, a director at the clinic.

The center doesn’t keep records of which patients have insurance, Mr. Hillard said. Anecdotally, they have seen some confusion with the Affordable Care Act from patients, Mr. Colladay said.

Although the act expanded health insurance coverage to more Americans, it doesn’t guarantee increased access to health care services, according to the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that 23 million people will still be uninsured by 2019. That population will be undocumented immigrants, people who are exempt from the coverage mandate and can’t afford other health insurance options and people who make too much to qualify for Medicaid, ASTHO said.

“Free clinics will still play a major role in servicing these populations,” said an ASTHO fact sheet on free clinics.

In March 2015, The Hope Center moved its operations to 205-207 Main St., Luzerne. The move from the Back Mountain brought it closer to the valley’s population, and closer to people who could be patients. The facility is two miles from six high-rise home to the elderly, Mr. Hillard said.

The move also gave the facility more room. Their first building was about 1,200 square feet. The current facility is 9,000 square feet.

The supply of patients is unlimited. Their own resources have limits.

“We see more people now, but we also do more,” Mr. Hillard said.

Keeping the clinic running costs about $10,000 each month, Mr. Hillard said. Those costs include upkeep, liability insurance, buying generic medicine, utilities, school taxes and supplies. The center does not receive any funding from the government, he said.

An all-volunteer group helps the directors run the clinic. They are looking for a podiatrist as well as dental assistants. They’re always happy to hear from dentists, doctors and audiologists who want to volunteer.

All of those medical professionals give immediate help, but the goal is longer-term hope.

“We want to give hope to people who are hurting,” said Mr. Colladay, “and help any way we can.”

Contact the writer: bwellock@citizensvoice.com

Where: 205-207 Main St., Luzerne.

Contact: Call 844-239-3405 or email hopecenter

wv@gmail.com. They also have a Facebook page, The Hope Center of the Wyoming Valley.

Medical clinic: Available from 6 to 8 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays.

Legal clinic: Available from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday.

Chiropractic services: Open from 6 to 8 p.m. every other Thursday.

Dental cleanings: Every Monday from 6 to 8 p.m. by appointment.

Medical necessary dental extractions: Mondays and Thursdays from 6 to 8 p.m. by appointment.

Audiology services: From 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. every Wednesday.

Pastoral counseling: Available every night the clinic is open.

New location

for dance academy

Prima Elite Academy of Dance announced its new location, 1434 N. Main Ave., Scranton. The University of Scranton Small Business Development Center held a ribbon cutting to celebrate the new location. The studio offers dance in ballet, jazz, tap, contemporary, lyrical, pointe and hip-hop. Jennifer Griglock-Haggerty is the owner of Prima Elite Academy of Dance. For more information, call Mrs. Griglock-Haggerty at 570-815-4335 or visit www.facebook.com/primaeliteacademyofdance.

Bank celebrates: Community Bank NA celebrates its 150th year. Community Bank System Inc. operates more than 190 facilities across upstate New York and Northeast Pennsylvania.

Hampton wins excellence award: The Hampton Inn & Suites in Wilkes-Barre, under the ownership and management of Millett Hospitality Inc., has been recognized as one of Hampton Hotels’ top-performing hotels. The Hampton Inn & Suites in Wilkes-Barre is in the top 10 percent of hotels in the Hampton Brand, and in recognition of this accomplishment, was awarded the prestigious Circle of Excellence Award for 2015. It also won the Circle of Excellence Award for 2014. Qualifications for the award are based upon customer feedback measured through guest satisfaction surveys, as well as product quality and service scores.

Restaurant makes donations: On March 30, Jersey Mike’s Subs held “Eat a Sub, Help a Charity.” All proceeds from sub sales went to charity. It was the restaurant’s Month of Giving fundraising campaign, with its sixth annual Day of Giving initiative. The Jersey Mike’s at 11 Bear Creek Blvd., Wilkes-Barre, supported the St. Vincent de Paul Soup Kitchen. The Jersey Mike’s at Koroneos Plaza 2, 539 Scranton Carbondale Highway, Dickson City, supported St. Francis of Assisi Kitchen.

Bank makes donation: First National Community Bank presented the United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties with a check for $1,625 in support of education programs to help children from income-eligible families attend quality, approved pre-kindergarten programs and other fee-based schools.

University’s accreditation renewed: The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business has extended accreditation for the undergraduate and masters’ programs in business offered by the Kania School of Management at the University of Scranton through 2021. Scranton is among 26 AACSB International accredited business schools in Pennsylvania. Undergraduate KSOM programs include bachelor’s degree programs in accounting, business administration, economics, electronic commerce, entrepreneurship, finance, international business, management, marketing and operations and information management. Also, KSOM offers undergraduates minors in general business accounting, accounting information systems, economics, electronic commerce, finance, management of people and teams, management of structures and systems, and operations management, as well as an associate degree in business. Graduate-level KSOM programs include a master’s in accountancy and a master of business administration in general management or with a specialization in accounting, finance, international business, management information systems, marketing and operations management. Combined bachelor’s and master’s level programs include accounting BS/MBA, operations management BS/MBA and finance BS/MBA, as well as accelerated programs in a number of areas.

Hunger relief donations: During the winter checkout-scanning campaign at 27 Wegmans stores in Massachusetts, New York and parts of Pennsylvania, hunger-relief donations rose to $1,095,336. “Check Out Hunger” allowed customers to donate at checkout, with 100 percent of the proceeds going to each store’s local food bank. This year’s donations were 6 percent higher than the winter 2015 total. Stores in Dickson City and Wilkes-Barre will receive a $12,372 donation to the Weinberg Northeast Regional Food Bank.

Nominations wanted: The Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber seeks nominations for this year’s Athena Award. The individual chosen for this award will be honored at the chamber’s June awards celebration. The award is presented to a woman who has attained and personified the highest level of professional excellence in her business or profession, has devoted time and energy to the community in a meaningful way, and has helped women attain their full potential. Nominations must be received by April 8 and can be submitted at www.wilkes-barre.org/awards.html.

Casino receives diamond rating: Mount Airy Casino Resort, Mount Pocono, received the esteemed AAA Four Diamond Rating. Mount Airy Casino Resort has maintained this rating consecutively since 2010.

FNCB makes donation: First National Community Bank announced a $1,000 donation to the Helping Hands Society of Hazleton through the Pennsylvania Educational Improvement Tax Credit program. The Helping Hands Society is a nonprofit organization serving special needs children and their families by providing educational and therapeutic services.

Bank donates to WVIA: Landmark Community Bank donated $2,500 to WVIA Public Media through the Pennsylvania Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program. The donation is to support WVIA’s educational services.

Utilities corporation donates: PPL Electric Utilities Corp. donated $5,000 through the Pennsylvania Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program to support WVIA’s educational services.

College ranks nationally: Keystone College has been ranked one of the best schools in its region of the nation for providing students with affordable educations. Washington Monthly magazine’s annual College Guide ranked Keystone 33rd in the Northeast for the “Best Bang for the Buck.” The ranking listed the top 100 schools by region of the country, and scores were based on performance in categories including cost, financial aid, graduation rate and student loan default rate.

Salon to open: Great Clips will open a new store in Dickson City Commons on Commerce Boulevard. Great Clips is a fast-growing salon brand established in 1982.

Bank donates to cultural center: Fidelity Bank presented the Scranton Cultural Center with a check for $7,500 in sponsorship of the center’s box office. The donation supports programming and events.

Bank donates to media organization: The Dime Bank donated $2,000 to WVIA Public Media through the Educational Improvement Tax Credit program.

Seeking nominations: Registration for the 2016 Best Places to Work in PA is open. Nominations are being accepted online at www.bestplacestoworkinpa.com. The deadline for nominations is June 30.

Chamber holds luncheon: The Back Mountain Chamber hosted its March Luncheon at Irem Temple C.C., featuring a presentation by Jeffrey Box, president and CEO of Northeastern PA Alliance. Mr. Box discussed the ways NEPA supports the business community.

Bank donates to arts academy: Fidelity Bank presented the Scranton Cultural Center Creative and Performing Arts Academy with $21,000 through the Pennsylvania Educational Improvement Tax Credit program.

SUBMIT BUSINESS BUZZ items to business@times-shamrock.com or The Times- Tribune, 149 Penn Ave.,

Scranton, PA 18503.

Their future on the University of Scranton’s swimming team uncertain, student athletes nevertheless promoted the school’s swimming program from under the cloud of a hazing investigation.

A February suspension from athletic activities prohibited students from staffing a swimming program table inside Byron Hall for Preview Day, held Saturday for incoming freshmen to explore the campus, school activities and athletics.

The on-the-outs swimmers instead set up a table outside on the Dionne Campus Green and waved homemade signs, one reading “We Are All Heart.” Throughout the day, between 30 and 35 of the swimmers and divers — about half the team — staffed the informal table, playing music and chatting enthusiastically about the program to next year’s freshmen.

Inside Byron Hall, students said, the swimming team table was staffed by a university employee. The swimmers are not permitted to communicate with their coach, Paul DeAngelo.

The swimmers didn’t discuss the investigation or the alleged incident that precipitated it. The school suspended the men’s and women’s teams pending a probe into whether members violated the school’s hazing, sexual misconduct, sexual harassment and alcohol policies.

The suspension came at the end of the season, benching swimmers before the conference championship. The regular season begins in the fall.

“If the accusation sounds vague, it’s vague to us as well,” said Matt Finnegan, a swimmer from Garden City, New York, who added that the team is largely in the dark about the matter. “The team is being misrepresented. There are crazy rumors around campus. But people know us and know that these things are not true.”

The university’s student newspaper, The Aquinas, reported last month that 17 individual team members were accused of specific violations.

Diver Shannon Richardson of Lafayette Hill, Montgomery County, said the team is like family. They wanted to represent that spirit on Preview Day.

“We want people to know we are more than this investigation,” she said.

Maura Sommers, a team member parent, said she is proud of how respectfully the students represented the swimming program.

“They are showing a positive attitude,” she said.

University spokesman Stan Zygmunt said the students applied for and were granted an assembly permit for the Dionne Campus Green. He said the school’s investigation into the alleged hazing continues. Given that various school policies were allegedly violated, the potential penalties can vary greatly, he said.

Contact the writer:

dfalchek@timesshamrock.com

WILKES-BARRE — When Pennsylvania voters hit the polls for the primary election later this month, they will be asked to decide how old is too old for the state’s 1,000 judges.

Judges currently must retire at the end of the year in which they turn 70, but a referendum on the April 26 ballot would extend their retirement age to 75. The change would affect common pleas and state appellate judges as well as magistrates.

Proponents argue the change would allow the courts to better retain the institutional knowledge of seasoned judges, while detractors cite the need for new blood on the state’s benches.

The move would immediately affect 20 judges at all levels across the state, according to Art Heinz, a spokesman for the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts. Those include Lackawanna County President Judge Thomas J. Munley and Luzerne County Judge Thomas F. Burke Jr., he said.

The measure has been in the works for some time. It passed both chambers of the state General Assembly in 2013, and survived a 36-13 vote in the Senate in November, paving the way for the referendum. Citizens must vote on the issue because the current retirement age is written into the state constitution.

Local senators were among the measure’s supporters.

“As a general proposition, people are living longer, and many are choosing to extend their professional working lives,” said Sen. Lisa Baker, R-20, Lehman Twp. “There is a growing belief that an age limit established long ago is too low by today’s standards, and is arbitrarily depriving our courts of some experienced, thoughtful and highly capable judges. It seems a good time and an appropriate matter for the voters to decide.”

Sen. John Yudichak, D-14, Plymouth Twp., said he supported the referendum because he wanted voters to have a direct say in whether to change the court system.

“The voters will decide if a small increase in the retirement age for judges will improve the efficiency and effectiveness of our judicial system in Pennsylvania,” Mr. Yudichak said.

Retaining knowledge

The nonpartisan group Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts — which supports the measure along with other reforms such as merit selection for judges — argues the increase will help keep institutional knowledge in state courts.

Lynn Marks, the group’s executive director, said that when the provision was added to the state constitution in 1968 the average lifespan was about 70 years, whereas it is now 80 years.

“Increased life expectancy and medical advances have allowed people to remain active and productive for longer than ever before,” Ms. Marks said. “Age-related deterioration is more biological. It’s not chronological. It impacts everyone differently.”

The proposal saw some opposition in the Senate last fall. According to Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts, much opposition was related to the “porngate” scandal, in which senior state officials lost their jobs for distributing pornographic emails on state computers.

The scandal brought about the retirement of Justice Seamus P. McCaffery in 2014 and the resignation last month of Justice J. Michael Eakin.

State Sen. Anthony Williams, a Philadelphia Democrat who voted against the proposal, argued that while there are certainly judges who would well serve the commonwealth beyond age 70, the recent behavior of those justices proves they don’t deserve such a benefit.

“Time cements prejudices, as has been underscored with the complicit, widespread practice of sharing misogynistic, homophobic and racist emails to scores of other attorneys, prosecutors and publicly elected officials,” Mr. Williams said. “Pennsylvania is changing and we must make sure qualified legal minds — minds that truly believe justice is blind — have the opportunity to mete out proper justice. Giving judges another five years would be the opposite of this idea.”

Ms. Marks urged voters to decide the issue based on its merits and not out of a desire to unseat individual judges.

“Judges who are found unfit for office definitely need to be removed,” Ms. Marks said. “The judicial system is there for not only ethical problems but in addition for age-based mental or physical deterioration. The disciplinary system has the authority to remove them from the bench.”

Contact the writer:

,

@cvjimhalpin

BERWICK — Louis Kovach welded parts of all 15,224 tanks manufactured at the American Car and Foundry in Berwick that were used in combat during World War II.

At age 90, he finally saw one return home.

A 1942 Stuart tank built in Berwick recently arrived home following a 12-year effort by a group of citizens motivated by a motto they adopted — “Bring Stuie Home.”

“It was built in Berwick and a lot of people served in those tanks. Coming back to its original place in Berwick was quite an achievement,” Mr. Kovach said. “It’s nice for Berwick.”

Today, the tank will be paraded through Berwick around 2 p.m. on a trailer as part of a homecoming ceremony. It will be displayed at the Reliance Fire Hall for people to take pictures.

Members of the committee expect a lot of interest since more than 9,100 people from Northeast Pennsylvania worked at the plant during its peak.

Mr. Kovach’s nephew, Columbia County Commissioner Dave Kovach, was part of the Stuart Tank Committee that worked for 12 years to find, buy and relocate a Stuart tank.

“It’s starting to sink in more and more now. The darn thing is here,” Dave Kovach said.

The rusty tank’s next tour of duty is a fundraising mission that may include a stop at the Bloomsburg Fair. Aftward, it will be sent for restoration work at Cheetah Chassis, one of the many businesses now operating at the site of the former American Car and Foundry.

Learning about the tank’s history is fascinating, Dave Kovach said

The tank they obtained was used by British forces in Italy during World War II as part of the United States’ lend-lease program. It ended up on a Argentinian farm as a piece of potential scrap metal until a British man who collects World War II relics bought it. At one point, the man had more than a dozen Stuart tanks. The one now in Berwick was his last.

Contact the writer:

bkalinowski@citizensvoice.com,

@cvbobkal

TO DONATE:

Stuart Tank Fund

725 West Front Street

Berwick, PA 18603

TODAY’S PARADE: The 1942 Stuart tank, recently returned to Berwick, will be paraded through town today starting at 2 p.m. The parade will start at 3rd and Market streets, travel down 3rd Street until it reaches Oak Street near the Reliance Fire Hall.

ON THE WEB: bringstuiehome.org