SCRANTON — A new Duffy Park and a replica of a World War I doughboy statue will be dedicated 11 a.m. on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, in a ceremony, city and Rabiega-Gorgol VFW Post 3451 officials announced Tuesday.

The date also is the centennial anniversary of the Armistice Day end of WWI.

The state Department of Transportation removed the “Spirit of the American Doughboy” WWI statue from the former Duffy Park fronting the south side of the old Harrison Avenue Bridge several years ago to make way for construction of the new bridge that was completed in December.

PennDOT had the original cast-zinc doughboy statue restored, and a cast-bronze replica made, both by Moorland Studios in Stockton, New Jersey.

The replica will go into a new Duffy Park being created on the south side of the new bridge, but across the road from where the original park stood.

The original doughboy statue was dedicated in 1940, in honor of Lt. Col. Frank Duffy, an engineer of the Delaware, Lacka­wan­na & Western Railroad, who was killed in World War I.

President of the Scranton Engineers Club and supervisor with the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad, Duffy set sail with the 103rd Engineers on May 18, 1918. He was killed Aug. 17, 1918, by an enemy mortar in France.

Though the original doughboy statue was not specific to an individual — and there were many similar ones throughout the nation — the statue in Scranton became synonymous with native son Duffy, the highest-ranking soldier from Lackawanna County killed in WWI and namesake of the small park.

As an employee of the railroad company, Duffy worked locally throughout the area, including on the grounds of what today is the Steamtown National Historic Site that is devoted to the nation’s train and rail history

The Rabiega-Gorgol VFW Post 3451 of South Scranton asked Steamtown to become the permanent home of the original statue, which is too old and fragile to be repositioned outdoors.

Steamtown agreed to accept the old statue and make it part of the site’s permanent collection, said Bill Fischer, chief of visitor services and resource management at Steamtown.

However, the original statue won’t be on display at Steamtown in time for Veterans Day, Fischer said.

The replica and original statues are expected to be returned to Scranton around Nov. 7, said VFW post Commander Jerry O’Malley.

The dedication ceremony at the new park will include a 21-gun salute and a bugler playing taps, O’Malley said.

“It’s for the veterans. That’s what it’s all about. It’s about them,” O’Malley said of the ceremony.

Contact the writer:

jlockwood@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100 x5185; @jlockwoodTT on Twitter

The Scranton School Board plans to select a new member Monday using a slightly different process.

After interviewing the 12 applicants, directors will use a scoring rubric. After the interviews, directors will submit their top four names — or 1/3 of total applicants — for further consideration.

After the board secretary and an administrator tally the names, the applicant mentioned the most will be brought up for a vote first. In case of a tie with the same number of mentions for an applicant, voting order will be determined by drawing from a hat, Superintendent Alexis Kirijan, Ed.D., said.

For the past several vacancies, votes were taken in order of total points scored on the rubrics. Directors plan to interview and score applicants Monday, following the 7 p.m. board meeting at Northeast Intermediate School, 721 Adams Ave. The successful applicant will fill the vacancy left by the death of director Carol Oleski earlier this month.

Applicants are:

Pedro Luis Anes, of Beech Street, chairman of the Scranton Human Relations Commission, with 30 years of management experience.

Gayle Thorpe Baar, of Seymour Avenue, a retired teacher and school librarian, who returned to the city after retirement.

Tom Borthwick, of North Sumner Avenue, a Riverside teacher and an adjunct professor, and a previous candidate with nearly four years as vice chairman of the Scranton Parking Authority.

Sarah Cruz, of East Market Street, a sales associate at Boscov’s who holds a bachelor’s degree from Marywood University.

Catherine Fox, of Philo Street, student life coordinator/veterans advisor at Lackawanna College and an adjunct professor.

Glynis Johns, of Townhouse Boulevard, founder of the Black Scranton Project (African American Heritage Project) and director of the Scranton region Complete Count Committee for the 2020 U.S. Census.

Tom McIntyre, of East Mountain Road, chief financial officer for the East Stroudsburg School District and a former auditor for the state Department of the Auditor General.

Kenneth Norton, of Rundle Street, a lineman for PPL Electric Utilities who wants to improve the education system for his grandchildren.

Michael Oakes, of Birch Street, an adjunct professor in the psychology department at the University of Scranton, who holds a doctorate degree from Northern Illinois University.

Gopal Patel, of Quincy Avenue, owner and operator of Subway restaurants, apartment buildings and a convenience store and a member of the Scranton Sewer Authority. Patel also sought appointment last year.

Greg Popil, of North Cameron Avenue, who served on the school board from 1986 to 1991, and is a retired bureau of schools field auditor for the state auditor general. He also sought prior appointments.

Frank Torquato, Bulwer Street, a retired teacher and band director from North Pocono and previous candidate.

Contact the writer:

shofius@timesshamrock.com;

570-348-9133;

@hofiushallTT on Twitter

SCRANTON — In the end, Michael Deshler chose handcuffs to running into traffic.

The 26-year-old Scranton man arrested Tuesday for selling crack in the city’s Hill Section dropped $1,507 on the ground and made a break for it along Mulberry Street once he saw officers approach, Lackawanna County detectives said.

Passing traffic on the busy road aided the detectives chasing him. Deshler stopped to avoid the traffic and police handcuffed him without trouble. Deshler, 1613 Linden St., faces drug crimes and a count of resisting arrest.

Detectives said Deshler sold crack during a controlled drug buy in the bathroom of GoodFellas Pizza shortly before 7 p.m.

Deshler is in Lackawanna County Prison on $75,000 bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled Nov. 8.

— JOSEPH KOHUT

The Scranton School Board received the results of its investigation into harassment complaints made by the district superintendent.

However, citing threatened legal action, directors refused today to provide any details about the report to the public.

“We can’t divulge it due to further potential lawsuits,” board Vice President Robert Casey said. “I don’t want to put the district into any further liability.”

In a June letter to the board, Alexis Kirijan, Ed.D., alleged that school directors sexually harass her, create a hostile work environment and discriminate based on her gender and ethnicity. The allegations, including that officials ignored her claims of sexual harassment, led the board to commission an internal investigation by Kingston attorney Jarrett Ferentino. In the letter, Kirijan threatens legal action if the behavior continues.

Directors met in executive session Tuesday night and received a verbal report from Ferentino.

“It’s a personnel matter,” board President Barbara Dixon said Wednesday. “I can’t comment on anything.”

Total costs of the taxpayer-funded investigation are still unknown.

The board decided to hire Ferentino during an executive session in June, and did not vote on the hire during a public meeting. The lack of a public vote is a violation of the state’s Sunshine Act, according to the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association. The Times-Tribune filed a Right to Know law request on Oct. 11 for any contract or letter of engagement with Ferentino, and the district filed for a 30-day extension to provide the newspaper with the public information. Solicitor John Minora said if the board violated the Sunshine Act, directors can vote on the hire at an upcoming meeting.

Kirijan’s complaints prompted state Auditor General Eugene DePasquale to request copies of harassment policies for districts statewide, starting with Scranton, for a detailed review.

As of Wednesday afternoon, Kirijan, who has demanded to know who leaked a copy of her letter to The Times-Tribune last month, said she had not been briefed on the board investigation’s findings.

Minora said he and the board cannot comment on the report, citing personnel issues and possible litigation. Efforts to reach Ferentino and directors Paige Gebhardt Cognetti, Paul Duffy, Katie Gilmartin, Bob Lesh, Mark McAndrew and Tom Schuster were unsuccessful today.

Contact the writer: shofius@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9133; @hofiushallTT on Twitter

BLAKELY — A Blakely man spewed racial slurs and then hit and choked his girlfriend during a fight Tuesday evening in the borough, police charged.

Marc James Canzano, 30, 1329 Main St., Apt. 4, is charged with simple assault and harassment and remains at the Lackawanna County Prison in lieu of $50,000 bail.

Police said that Canzano made racially charged and disparaging remarks about his girlfriend, Carrie Jones, to her daughter’s juvenile boyfriend at their apartment, Patrolman Michael Shaheen wrote.

Canzano punched and choked her and then left, police said. He was soon arrested.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled Wednesday.

— JOSEPH KOHUT

Zahrah Green and Tyler Stine missed the “purge” this year.

The two 18-year-olds accused of invoking the popular horror film franchise as they ripped a purse from a woman’s shoulder early Saturday morning in Scranton found out Wednesday that robbery is, in fact, illegal every night of the year.

Scranton detectives filed complaints Wednesday against Green, of Philadelphia, and Stine, of Altoona. Stine is charged with robbery, theft, receiving stolen property, tampering with evidence and conspiracy to commit robbery. Green is charged with conspiracy, tampering with evidence and receiving stolen property.

An unidentified woman and her friend walked back from Granteed’s Pizza on Mulberry Street to their apartment in the downtown and noticed two people wearing white masks — similar to those worn in the horror movie series where crime is legal on one night of the year — near the intersection of Jefferson Avenue and Mulberry Street, according to a pair of criminal complaints.

The masked figures started to follow them. The victims started feeling nervous but felt they’d be safe because the bars were letting out and people would be around.

On the 200 block of Adams Avenue, the robbers, identified as Green and Stine, went after them, police said. Stine grabbed the victim’s purse and pulled it from her. The robbers cursed at them and told them this was the “purge.”

After, the robbers fled and the victims called the police.

Police used surveillance cameras throughout the city’s downtown to track the pair from the 200 block of Adams Avenue, the spot investigators said they committed the robbery, to a Lackawanna College dorm building on the 400 block of North Washington Avenue, where they were students, police said.

Along the way, investigators found their disguises.

Police Chief Carl Graziano said this is the first incident he could recall in Scranton involving purge masks.

Their bail and preliminary hearing information was not immediately clear.

Contact the writer: jkohut@timesshamrock.com, 570-348-9144; @jkohutTT on Twitter

Just days before Tuesday’s midterm elections, former Vice President Joe Biden will visit Luzerne County on Sunday to stump for Democratic candidates Sen. Bob Casey and U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright.

Biden, a Scranton native, will appear in Luzerne County for a campaign rally between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m., Luzerne County Democratic Party Chairman John Pekarovsky said Wednesday night after speaking to top campaign people.

A location has yet to be finalized, he said.

“He’s really well liked in the area. It’s a huge win for us to get him here to help our candidates,” Pekarovsky said.

Casey, who is seeking a third term, is facing a challenge from U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta. Cartwright, who is seeking a fourth term, is being challenged by investment banker John Chrin.

Several other people influential in local Democrat politics said they were told of Biden’s planned visit, but said the details were still being finalized.

Biden’s campaign stop follows last week’s visit by Vice President Mike Pence, who campaigned for Chrin and other Republican candidates at the Wyoming Valley Airport in Forty Fort.

President Donald Trump came to the area in August to urge voters to choose Barletta over Casey. Trump spoke before a capacity crowd at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Wilkes-Barre Twp. as thousands of others were turned away because the venue was full.

The scene was similar during Trump’s 2016 election against former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton as Trump twice held rallies at the arena in front of packed crowds.

At the time, Biden took notice.

He’s told media outlets he watched on television as the large enthusiastic crowds assembled in his native area and, for the first time, thought to himself, “Son of a gun. We may lose this election.”

Biden, 75, who decided not to run in the 2016 election following the death of his son, is currently mulling a 2020 presidential run. He’s been traveling the country stumping for Democratic candidates.

Perarovsky thinks it’s no accident that Biden is coming to Northeastern Pennsylvania on the final weekend before the election, which will decide which party controls Congress for the next two years of Trump’s presidency.

Biden knows this area matters, Pekarovsky said.

“I think that’s exactly why,” Pekarovsky said. “They waited for the last minute to have him stop.”

Contact the writer:

bkalinowski@citizensvoice.com,

570-821-2055, @cvbobkal

People who need a “Real ID” for air travel can get an early start on the verification process by visiting the terminal building at the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport 5 to 8 p.m. Nov. 8.

The airport will host a Real ID mobile verification unit, which allows Pennsylvania residents to pre-verify for a Real ID without visiting a PennDOT driver’s license center. PennDOT staff will scan the required documents to a particular driver’s record and mark it as “Real ID eligible.”

Beginning Oct. 1, 2020, Pennsylvanians and people throughout the country will need a Real ID-compliant driver’s license, photo ID card or another form of federally-acceptable identification such as a valid passport or military ID to board a domestic commercial flight or enter a federal building or military installation that requires ID.

Once Real IDs are available in March 2019, Pennsylvania residents can apply for them online, pay the fees and they will be mailed to them directly within 10 business days.

PennDOT is required to verify original versions or certified copies of documents. These include proof of identity such as an original or certified copy of a birth certificate with raised seal or a valid U.S. passport or passport card; proof of Pennsylvania residency such as a current and unexpired Pennsylvania driver’s license or photo ID card, a bank statement no more than 90 days old or utility bill with the same name and address.

CONTACT THE WRITER:
dallabaugh@citizensvoice.com, 570-821-2115;

@CVAllabaugh on Twitter

CARBONDALE — Wearing blood-spattered blue dresses and ghoulish face paint, cousins Emma Mrakovich and Audrey Peters held hands as they eerily posed for photos Wednesday afternoon.

Emma, 10, and Audrey, 6, joined dinosaurs, superheroes, princesses and everything in between parading through the streets of downtown Carbondale for the city’s 24th annual downtown trick-or-treat event.

In what could have been the spookiest costumes of the day, the cousins dressed as the ghostly Grady sisters from Stanley Kubrick’s 1980 horror film, “The Shining.” The two heard everything from “‘Don’t come to my house tonight’ to ‘That is the best costume I’ve seen so far,’ ” said Emma’s mom, Jaime Mrakovich.

Mrakovich is a special effects artist and spent about two hours transforming the girls into the apparitions. She had to wait years until the two were the correct height to portray the sisters from the film, she said.

From scary to heroic and even the extinct, kids proudly showed off their costumes as they loaded their bags with candy at businesses along Main Street. Passers-by even stopped Emma and Audrey for photos.

More than 30 businesses in Carbondale handed out thousands of pieces of candy to an estimated 1,500 trick-or-treaters in just over two hours. For parents like Kelly Durst of Carbondale, the annual event is a safe, fun way for kids to celebrate Halloween compared to trick or treating door-to-door.

“I actually love this,” she said. “It’s so much nicer. It’s safer.”

Although his favorite Star Wars character is Darth Vader, Tyler Durst, 7, dressed up as a storm trooper. Glancing into his orange jack-o’-lantern bucket filled with candy, he thought for a moment about what he liked best.

“Fortune cookies,” he said.

Wearing blue overalls with a hockey mask for his Jason costume from the Friday the 13th horror films, Joey Wagner, 7, of Carbondale, had so much candy in his jack-o’-lantern that he needed help pouring it into a larger bag. Just like his cousin Tyler, he enjoyed his fortune cookies the most.

Velociraptor Devan Smith, 11, of Jermyn, even managed to find camaraderie with his fellow dinosaurs. While standing along Main Street, a second dinosaur — an unidentified orange T-Rex — ran up to Devan, greeting him with, “Hello, fellow dinosaur. It’s nice to meet someone who isn’t extinct,” before running away.

Devan settled on the reptile costume after his sister, Daienaria Jankowski, showed him it online.

“I needed it,” he said, adding that getting around in the cumbersome costume is a “pain in the butt.”

Becky Borosky of Carbondale had matching costumes for her daughter, Brenna, 4, and their dog, Toby, a 2-year-old pug/Jack Russell terrier mix.

The two dressed as Elsa from Disney’s “Frozen.” Although Toby didn’t have a blue dress like Brenna, he did sport a flowing blond wig.

Borosky praised the city for hosting the annual event, which also aims to draw business to the city’s downtown.

“It’s so nice,” she said. “I’m so happy our town does this.”

Contact the writer:

flesnefsky@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100 x5181;

@flesnefskyTT on Twitter

U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta’s Senate campaign raised almost as much money as he did in his six House elections, but Sen. Bob Casey thumped him in campaign bucks in their match-up.

In the three local congressional races, the Republican candidates for the 9th and 12th Congressional District seats vastly outspent the Democrats with fundraising relatively even in the 8th Congressional District.

Through Oct. 17, Barletta, a Hazleton Republican, raised almost $6.85 million in contributions, but Casey, a Scranton Democrat, netted almost $21.4 million, according to their latest campaign finance reports.

That left Casey with almost $4.5 million in cash heading into the final three weeks of the campaign, quadruple Barletta’s more than $1.02 million.

Barletta actually raised more than Casey, $2,725,457 to $2,602,882, over the last two reporting periods — July 1 to Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 to 17. Only a major infusion of cash from outside campaign-related committees allowed Casey to win the first period. Barletta won the second.

Both periods ended after President Donald Trump’s Aug. 2 visit to Luzerne County, which was partly meant to boost Barletta’s fundraising.

“Our campaign is excited by the uptick in contributions and grassroots support over the last several months,” Barletta campaign spokesman David Jackson said in an email. “We are in a strong position to get the congressman’s message to voters across Pennsylvania and win on Election Day.”

Overall, Barletta’s fundraising for the Senate campaign approaches the almost $7.1 million he raised in his six House election campaigns.

Nonetheless, his haul still failed to close the money gap on Casey, who, a month after Barletta announced his bid in August 2017, had an almost $10 million lead. Besides the fundraising advantage, Casey has enjoyed a campaign-long wide polling lead with every independent poll showing him ahead by at least 14 percentage points, according to a compilation of polls on RealClearPolitics.com.

“We’re thrilled to have raised more than $21 million this cycle thanks to strong grassroots support from every corner of the commonwealth,” Casey campaign spokesman Max Steele said in an email. “The campaign will have the resources necessary to get Senator Casey’s message out and highlight what is at stake for Pennsylvania voters in the closing days of this election.”

Barletta represents Pennsylvania’s 11th Congressional District, which includes a large part of Luzerne County, all of Wyoming County and all or parts of seven other counties to the west and south.

The congressional career of whoever loses the Senate race in the Nov. 6 election will end in January.

Two minor party Senate candidates, Green Neal Gale and Libertarian Dale Kerns Jr., also filed reports. Gale reported raising a total of $739 while Kerns raised almost $181,000.

In the 8th district race, U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright, a Moosic Democrat, raised almost $2.3 million in his bid for a fourth term. His opponent, John Chrin, a Monroe County Republican, raised more than $1.05 million in contributions, but also loaned his campaign $1.1 million, meaning he had more than $2.15 million for his campaign, according to his latest report.

The 8th district includes all of Lackawanna, Wayne and Pike counties, most of Luzerne County and party of Monroe County.

An independent public poll, done by The New York Times/Siena College, showed Cartwright leading the race by 12 percentage points two weeks ago.

In the 12th district, Rep. Tom Marino, a Lycoming County Republican, recovered from his slack fundraising last year to raise more than $752,000 in his race against Democrat Marc Friedenberg, a Centre County Democrat, who raised more than $147,000.

The 12th includes all of Susquehanna and Wyoming counties and all or parts of 13 other counties and stretches as far west as Potter County.

In the 9th district, former state Secretary of Revenue Dan Meuser, a Dallas Borough Republican, raised more than $745,000. That includes more than $13,700 he contributed. He also loaned his campaign $1.135 million, according to his campaign finance reports. Combining the loans and contributions, Meuser had more than $1.88 million for his campaign. His opponent, former state Secretary of Agriculture Denny Wolff, a Columbia County Democrat, raised more than $351,000. He loaned his campaign another $702,000. That gave him more than $1.05 million total for the campaign.

The 9th district includes roughly the western half of Luzerne County, all of Columbia and Schuylkill Counties, and all or part of five other counties.

No independent polling has happened in the 9th and 12th races, but Meuser and Marino remain heavy favorites to win, according to Washington, D.C.-based congressional race trackers.

Contact the writer: bkrawczeniuk@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9147; @BorysBlogTT on Twitter

Students in

our schools

Keystone College education majors serving as student teachers during the fall semester in regional school districts include Marisa Evans, of Greenfield Twp., at Forest City Regional School District; Nina Fletcher, of Scranton, Scranton School District and Howard Gardner Multiple Intelligence Charter School; Lauren Frey, of Nescopeck, Valley View School District; Jalenna Gibbs, of Beach Lake, Wayne Highlands School District; Paul Hyduchak, of Jefferson Twp., Dunmore School District and North Pocono School District; Autumn Kellam, of Starlight, Wayne Highlands School District and Western Wayne School District; Katherine Kempa, of Susquehanna, Blue Ridge School District and Susquehanna Community School District; Kayla Kowalski, of Scranton, Scranton School District; Sarah Lamphere, of Monroeton, Canton Area School District and Towanda Area School District; Krisa Mancuso, of Carbondale, Carbondale Area School District; Courtney Petrylak, of Kirkwood, New York, Blue Ridge School District and Susquehanna Community School District; Rachel Reinhart, of Susquehanna, Valley View School District; Christina Roda, of Middletown, New York, Minisink Valley Central School District and Port Jervis City School District; Kaylie Shygelski, of Peckville, Carbondale Area School District and Valley View School District; David Strum, of Bayonne, New Jersey, Lakeland School District and Mountain View School District; and Andrew Trotter, of Union Dale, Scranton School District and Wallenpaupack Area School District.

The students attended a weeklong seminar coached by top education professionals from local districts, covered teaching techniques, educational technology and teacher assessment to help them prepare for the student teaching experience.

High notes

Lorene Cary, a best-selling author from Philadelphia received the Royden B. Davis, S.J., Distinguished Author Award from the University of Scranton’s Friends of the Weinberg Memorial Library.

Cary received the award during a ceremony held recently on campus.

Gretchen Welby, Ph.D., serves as the Distinguished Author Award committee chairwoman and Mary McDonald is president of the Friends of the Library.

Super students

Abington Heights seniors Ryan Siebecker and Katerina Williams are National Merit Scholars.

Williams was selected as one of the 16,000 semifinalists nationwide and will compete for the National Merit Scholarships to be offered in 2020. Siebecker will receive a letter of commendation in recognition of his outstanding academic promise and may be a candidate for special scholarships provided by corporate and business sponsors.

The National Merit Scholarship Program is an annual academic competition for recognition and college undergraduate scholarships. Students enter the program by taking the 2017 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.

After months of campaigning and millions of dollars spent on TV commercials and other advertising, Pennsylvania’s top two election races stand largely where they did months ago.

Gov. Tom Wolf and U.S. Sen. Bob Casey hold wide leads over their election opponents with Wolf widening his dramatically, according to the latest Franklin & Marshall poll released Wednesday to The Times-Tribune.

Wolf, a York County Democrat, led former state senator and trash-hauling business owner Scott Wagner, a York County Republican, by 57 to 27 percent, a 30-percentage-point lead among registered voters. That was up from a 24-point lead last month. Ken Krawchuk, a Montgomery County Libertarian, had 3 percent, and Paul Glover, a Philadelphia Green, had 1 percent.

When only voters likely to cast ballots were counted, Wolf’s lead dropped to 26 points, 59 percent to 33 percent.

Casey, a Scranton Democrat, led U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta, a Hazleton Republican, by 50 percent to 31 percent among registered voters with Neal Gale, a Montgomery County Green, at 2 percent, and Dale Kerns Jr., a Delaware County Libertarian, at 1 percent.

Among likely voters, Casey led by 15 points, 50 percent to 35 percent.

The poll surveyed 537 registered voters and has a margin of error of plus or minus 6 percentage points. The margin of error for the 214 likely voters is plus or minus 9.5 points.

Casey raised almost $21.4 million and spent more than $17.2 million; Barletta raised more than $6.8 million and spent more than $6.3 million.

“The Democrats, because of their numbers in this state, are likely to do very well statewide,” poll director G. Terry Madonna said. “The Republican opponents have latched onto something that voters care enough about to look askance at the statewide office holders. You can’t beat an incumbent without finding an issue that the voters care about.”

Madonna attributed Wagner’s decline to his comments about the governor in an Oct. 12 Facebook Live video. Wagner, angry about a Wolf ad he considered unfair, responded with aggressive language.

“Your people said that I’ve raised a white flag?” Wagner said. “Well, Gov. Wolf, let me tell you, between now and Nov. 6, you better put a catcher’s mask on your face because I’m going to stomp all over your face with golf spikes.”

Wagner’s campaign “hasn’t jelled” or “generated any interest,” Madonna said.

Wolf raised almost $29.7 million in the last two years and spent almost $27.2 million. Wagner raised almost $18.7 million and spent more than $17.9 million. All the statewide candidates spent millions of dollars on advertising.

Madonna said Democrats and Republicans have about the same level of enthusiasm for voting in this election, a bad sign for Republicans who remain outnumbered by state Democrats by 840,000 voters. Similar numbers of Republicans (75 percent) and Democrats (73 percent) say they are “very interested” in the election, a dramatic shift upward among both. In September, Democrats (64 percent) showed more enthusiasm than Republicans (58 percent).

“Every statewide poll has shown the Democrats with double-digit leads,” Madonna said.

The confirmation of Justice Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court (63 percent), efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act (60 percent), and the separation of immigrant families (57 percent) all made voters “a great deal more interested” in voting, according to the poll.

Contact the writer:

bkrawczeniuk@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9147;

@BorysBlogTT on Twitter

FOREST CITY — Several area schools, including Forest City Regional School District, will each receive $25,000 in state funding for student safety initiatives.

Districts that receive cash through the program can use money for hiring school security officers, purchasing security-related technology, completing safety and security assessments, implementing violence prevention curricula and offering counseling services to students.

Other recipients include Blue Ridge School District, Elk Lake School District, Mountain View School District, Susquehanna Community School District, Wallenpaupack Area School District, Wayne Highlands School District and Western Wayne School District.

— CLAYTON OVER

MARRIAGE LICENSE

• Luc Ridore and Carrole Boursiquot, both of Scranton.

PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS

• Albert Traettino and Jessica Hiller to Dennis A. and Theresa M. Potter, Palm Harbor, Fla.; a property at 602 Fern St., Clarks Summit, for $146,050.

• MarKoz Realty Inc., Throop, to Heritage Homes Ltd., Blakely; two parcels in Throop for $110,000.

• Concetta M. Reese, Scran­ton, to Miguel Boada, Scranton; a property at 1447 Von Storch Ave., Scranton, for $61,000.

• Stephen P. Jr. and Colleen M. Travis to Jason Thomas; a property at 1108 Watkins St., Taylor, for $40,000.

• James J. and Elena N. Kilonsky, Scott Twp., to Jessica and Jeffrey Lester, Scott Twp.; a property at 264 Gryzbowski Road, Scott Twp., for $240,000.

• Rosleyn Opeil, Carbondale, to Kristina Fox and Darrell Settles, Carbondale; a property at 6 41st St., Carbondale, for $106,000.

• Donna Ruth Messina, Scott Twp., to Eric J. Loff Sr. and Danielle Thomas, Jermyn; a property at Siniawa Drive, Scott Twp., for $255,000.

• Maria N. Sturdevant and Denise J. Reilly, co-executrices of the estate of Edwin J. Jarnicki, Scranton, to Jordan T. Adcroft, Scranton; two parcels in Scranton for $110,000.

• Kimberly A. Sarro, now by marriage, Kimberly A. Belton, and Gregory Belton, to Barry S. Strong; a property at 162 Ash Gap Road, Spring Brook Twp., for $200,000.

• Howard B. and Kimberly A. Loder, Nicholson, to Gerald Jr. and Regina Robb, Nicholson; a property in Benton Twp. for $350,000.

• Stephen J. Jr. and Patricia Condella, Olyphant, to Liskeiry Rivera Valerio, Corona Queens, N.Y.; a property at 211 Grant St., Olyphant, for $175,000.

• William and Diane O’Brien, Lake Ariel, to Kelsey Louise Janesko and Matthew Donahue, Dunmore; a property at 308 Dudley St., Dunmore, for $150,000.

• Fannie Mae, also known as Federal National Mortgage Association, Dallas, Texas, by its attorney in fact, KML Law Group, P.C., to Colette Smith; a property at 27 Havana St., Carbondale, for $36,000.

• MarKoz Realty Inc., Throop, to Robert and Maria Magliocchi, Throop; a property in Throop for $50,000.

• Andrew Salvi to Frank and Carolyn Ann Scotti; a property at 1235 Dundaff St., Dickson City, for $90,100.

• Suzanne C. and Dana O. Wirak, Woodbridge, Conn., to Matthew J. Sheruda, Clarks Summit; a property at Finn Road, Benton Twp., for $150,000.

• Michelle and Michael Churney, Archbald; Mary Ann and Brian Rogan, Carbondale; and Brian Carite, Mayfield, to Jonathan McDonough and Mickalena Rulis, Childs; a property at 5 Weir Court, Carbon­dale, for $73,000.

DIVORCE SOUGHT

• Holly A. Rinaldi, Moscow, v. Mark Rinaldi, Scranton; married Dec. 22, 2016, in Moscow; Lucille Marsh, attorney.

DIVORCE DECREES

• Laurie Donovan v. Dennis Donovan.

• Kasey Riddell v. Roger Riddell.

• Brian Schack v. Tara Schack.

• Jerome Smith v. Lisa Smith.

• Joshua Kohut v. Tracy Kohut.

• Ravida Kalidas Makwana v. Dhartiben Arvindkuma Kansara.

• Jennie Karev v. Richard Karev.

• Pablo Vizcarrondo v. Mayra Vizcarrondo.

• Amaury Arroyo Vazquez v. Gabriela Padro Pena.

FEDERAL TAX LIENS

• Joseph J. Nadel, 1015 Ashland St., Middletown, Del.; $44,186.39.

• Lake Scranton Urgent Care LLC, 1141 Moosic St., Scran­ton; $4,365.28.

• Joshua B. Jones, 703 Green Ridge St., Scranton; $79,913.56.

• Michael Brown, 211 Oak St., Dunmore; $56,671.64.

ONLINE: thetimes-tribune.com/courts

President Judge Michael Bar­rasse sentenced the following defendants recently in Lacka­wanna County Court:

■ Erica Wolf, 28, 1735 N. Sumner Ave., Scranton, to one year of court supervision, including 45 days of house arrest, for possession of a controlled substance.

■ Brian McAndrew, 43, 818 Delaware St., Scranton, to 122 days’ time served to six months in county prison, followed by six months of probation, and a $1,000 fine for disorderly conduct and DUI — tier three, first offense.

■ Darren Albert, 25, 424 Warren St., Scranton, to two years of court supervision, followed by three years of probation, for delivery of a controlled substance.

■ Christopher White, 34, 2762 Rockway Road, Lake Ariel, to one month of probation for possession of a small amount of marijuana.

■ Jonmichael Rocco, 23, 1505 Capouse Ave., Scranton, to 30 to 60 months in state prison, followed by four years of probation, and $1,303.73 in restitution for criminal use of a communication facility and conspiracy to commit possession with intent to deliver.

■ Raelyn Hullings, 37, 107 Spring Ave., Southampton, New Jersey, to two to six months in county prison followed by 18 months of probation for simple assault.

■ Jason Cotter, 22, 344 N. Everett St., Scranton, to three years of court supervision, including 117 days’ time served in county prison followed by two months’ work release for possession with intent to deliver.

■ David Bell, 29, 508 W. Orange St., Lancaster, to 11 to 23 months in county prison, followed by five years of probation, and $50 in restitution for robbery.

■ Tiffany Booth, 29, 1443 Wyoming Ave., Scranton, to four years of probation for endangering the welfare of children.

Judge Vito Geroulo sentenced:

■ Davon Hogan, 20, 1015 Prospect Ave., Scranton, to 11 to 23½ months in county prison followed by 18 months of probation for simple assault.

■ Eugene Rawlings, 48, 101 Electric St., Blakely, to 151 days’ time served to 18 months in county prison, followed by two years of probation, and $577.95 in restitution for simple assault and recklessly endangering another person.

■ Bradley Pope, 37, 734 N. Main Ave., Scranton, to six to 23 months in county prison for possession with intent to deliver.

■ Carlos Caban, 42, 89 Bel­mont St., Carbondale, to 71 days’ time served to 23 months in county prison for receiving stolen property.

■ Laura Sherman, 33, 1220 Franklin St., Old Forge, to three years of probation and $167.62 in restitution for retail theft and receiving stolen property.

■ Charles Notari, 85, Rear 2524 Birney Ave., Scranton, to a $50 fine for disorderly conduct.

■ Yolexander Coury-Colazzo, 25, 506 Quincy Ave., second floor, to 20 days’ time served to six months in county prison and a $1,000 fine for DUI — tier three, first offense.

■ Mariah Frable, 23, 15 St. Tikhons Road, Waymart, to six months of court supervision, including three days of house arrest, for DUI — tier three, first offense.

Judge Margaret Bisignani Moyle sentenced:

■ Dalton Lee, 26, 1634 Dick­son Ave., Scranton, to six months of court supervision, including five days of house arrest, and a $300 fine for DUI — tier one, second offense.

■ Brian Wandell, 47, 45 Seventh Street, Carbondale, to two years of court supervision, including three months of work release and three months of house arrest, and $387.80 in restitution for theft by unlawful taking.

■ Robert Marichak, 45, 1323 Madison Ave., Dunmore, to six months of probation and a $300 fine for DUI — tier one, first offense.

■ Howard Carter, 43, 191 Laurel St., Archbald, to five years of court supervision, including six months of house arrest, and a $1,500 fine for DUI — tier three, second offense.

■ Richard Milewski, 32, 3155 Nashotka Road, Madison Twp., to eight to 22½ months of work release followed by two years of probation for making terroristic threats and recklessly endangering another person.

A prominent Scranton attorney who previously served as co-solicitor for the city’s sewer authority has agreed to be disbarred.

Carl J. Greco of Greco Law Associates, 327 N. Washington Ave., Scranton, was disbarred by consent — a legal procedure that permits an attorney who is under investigation by the state Supreme Court’s disciplinary board to resign prior to the filing of potential disciplinary charges, according to the Pennsylvania Code.

The state Supreme Court on Wednesday issued an order disbarring Greco, which becomes effective Nov. 30.

Attempts to reach Greco for comment were unsuccessful.

Greco served as co-solicitor for the Scranton Sewer Authority during negotiations to sell the sewer system to Pennsylvania American Water. His firm was among several law firms that shared in $3.1 million in legal fees relating to the sale. He was paid $118,890, according to records previously obtained by The Times-Tribune. He resigned from the authority in January 2016.

Greco, who was admitted to the bar in 1978, had experienced financial difficulties within the past several years, including a $980,377 tax lien the IRS filed against him in 2013 for unpaid individual and employer taxes. The lien was withdrawn six months later.

In January, a state appellate court ruled Greco was required to pay the taxes on profits from his law firm that were distributed to him as its sole shareholder.

Greco claimed he did not owe the tax because he takes no salary from the law firm, therefore he should not be considered an “employee.”

The disciplinary board issued a press release announcing Greco’s disbarment, but did provide any further information. The board noted his resignation statement was filed under seal.

According to the Pennsylvania Code, the Supreme Court’s order disbarring an attorney by consent is made public, but the resignation letter remains confidential if the attorney resigned prior to the filing of disciplinary action.

Attorneys who are disbarred on consent acknowledge there is a pending investigation into allegations of misconduct, that the facts in support of the complaint are true and that the attorney could not successfully defend against them, according to the code.

Contact the writer:

tbesecker@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9137;

@tmbeseckerTT on Twitter

Anthracite region’s mines sitting idle

The mines throughout the anthracite region were once again idle. The 77,000 miners were protesting a recent order by the War Labor Board that capped their wage increase at 32.2 cents a day.

The miners said they would stay out of work pending the outcome of two meetings that union representatives were having in Washington, D.C.

This was the fourth work stoppage that year.

Noted lecturer spoke at Elm Park

Dr. Karl E. Downs, president of Sam Houston College in Austin, Texas, spoke at Elm Park Methodist Church on the topic of race relations in the United States.

Downs, who was black and a Methodist minister, suggested ways race relations in the United States could be improved. He said white Americans needed to start cooperating with black Americans, and that black Americans needed “to develop a sense of dignity.” He also called upon “church folk” to come together to help improve relations.

Downs spoke as part of Elm Park’s Fall University of Life series.

Sale at Scranton

Dry Goods

Men’s fancy shirts were $2, reversible coats for boys were $14.95, women’s dresses were $2.98, women’s flannel nightgowns were $1.69, a folding baby carriage for $21.95, a chenille bedspread was $7.98 and colorful lamp shades were $1.98.

BRIAN FULTON, library manager, oversees The Times-Tribune’s expansive digital and paper archives and is an authority on local history. Contact Brian at bfulton@timesshamrock.com or 570-348-9140.

Dickson City

Class reunion: Mid Valley class of 1978 holding a final preparation meeting Monday, 6:30 p.m., Happy Valley Sports Bar, Storrs Street, Dickson City; 40th class reunion, Friday, Nov. 23, Happy Valley Sports Bar, 6-11 p.m., $35/person includes one-hour open bar for a cocktail hour (6-7) followed by buffet and DJ. Contact: Judie Senkow, 570-878-1001, or Mid Valley class of 1978 Facebook page.

Old Forge

Artifacts display: Old Forge Historical Society holding its semi-annual artifacts and memorabilia display Friday, Peoples Security Bank, South Main Street, Old Forge, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Contact: Carl, 570-702-4217.

Scranton

Pasta dinner: St. Ann’s Boy Scout Troop 50 pasta dinner, Saturday, 3-7 p.m., Learn and Grow Child Care Center, 1228 St. Ann’s St., Scranton, $10/adults, $7/children 5-10, takeouts available.

Veteran’s Day: Annual Veteran’s Day program/sing-along commemorating the 100th anniversary of the WWI armistice, the four chaplains and the 100th anniversary of “God Bless America,” Nov. 11, 7 p.m., Asbury UMC, 720 Delaware St., Scranton, free, light refreshments follow.

Run-against-hunger: The seventh annual “Run Against Hunger” event, which benefits St. Francis of Assisi Kitchen, Nov. 10, 5k/10k and two-mile walk at the LHVA River Trail, Olive Street trailhead, Scranton, $25/pre-registration for 5k run or two mile walk, $30/pre-registration for the 10k run, $35/registration for all events day-of, free for children under 10, race-day registration, 7:30-8:45 a.m. Registration: www.runsignup.com/runagainsthunger.

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

Robert Morris Elementary School held its annual Halloween parade Wednesday in the Green Ridge section of Scranton. From extinct to super, dinosaurs, Spider-Man and more took to the streets.

The Scranton School Board received the results of its investigation into harassment complaints made by the district superintendent.

However, citing threatened legal action, directors refused to provide any details about the report to the public Wednesday.

“We can’t divulge it due to further potential lawsuits,” board Vice President Robert Casey said. “I don’t want to put the district into any further liability.”

In a June letter to the board, Alexis Kirijan, Ed.D., alleged that school directors sexually harass her, create a hostile work environment and discriminate based on her gender and ethnicity. The allegations, including that officials ignored her claims of sexual harassment, led the board to commission an internal investigation by Kingston attorney Jarrett Ferentino. In the letter, Kirijan threatens legal action if the behavior continues.

Directors met in executive session Tuesday night and received a verbal report from Ferentino.

“It’s a personnel matter,” board President Barbara Dixon said Wednesday. “I can’t comment on anything.”

Total costs of the taxpayer-funded investigation are still unknown.

The board decided to hire Ferentino during an executive session in June, and did not vote on the hire during a public meeting. The lack of a public vote is a violation of the state’s Sunshine Act, according to the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association. The Times-Tribune filed a Right to Know law request on Oct. 11 for any contract or letter of engagement with Ferentino, and the district filed for a 30-day extension to provide the newspaper with the public information. Solicitor John Minora said if the board violated the Sunshine Act, directors can vote on the hire at an upcoming meeting.

Kirijan’s complaints prompted state Auditor General Eugene DePasquale to request copies of harassment policies for districts statewide, starting with Scranton, for a detailed review.

As of Wednesday afternoon, Kirijan, who has demanded to know who leaked a copy of her letter to The Times-Tribune last month, said she had not been briefed on the board investigation’s findings.

Directors Katie Gilmartin and Paige Gebhardt Cognetti said the board will seriously consider recommendations made in the report, including the need for continued training from the Pennsylvania School Boards Association.

Minora said he and the board cannot comment on the report, citing personnel issues and possible litigation. Efforts to reach Ferentino and directors Paul Duffy, Bob Lesh, Mark McAndrew and Tom Schuster were unsuccessful Wednesday.

Contact the writer: shofius@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9133; @hofiushallTT on Twitter