Clarks Summit

Upcoming events: Newton-Ransom Volunteer Fire Company events, flea market, Sunday, Nov. 4, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 2, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; vendors wanted, $15/space; Texas wiener sales, Saturday, Nov. 17, 4-7 p.m., and Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 3, 2-7 p.m. Contact: Maureen Slovenkai, 570-604-5588.

Lake Ariel

Turkey raffle: Lake Ariel Volunteer Fire Company turkey raffle has been moved to St. Thomas More Parish Center, 105 Gravity Road, Lake Ariel, 7 p.m., Nov. 10.

Monroe County

Blood drive: American Red Cross blood donation opportunities, today, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Lehigh Valley Hospital-Pocono, 206 E. Brown St., East Stroudsburg; Friday, 2-6 p.m., the Friendly Community Center, 6683 Route 191, Cresco, and 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Kalahari Resort Convention Center, 250 Kalahari Blvd., Pocono Manor; Nov. 10, 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Eastern Monroe Public Library, 1002 N. Ninth St., Stroudsburg; Nov. 12, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Northampton Community College, Pocono Hall, 2411 Route 725, Tannersville.

Pike County

Blood drive: American Red Cross blood donation opportunities, Monday, 1-6 p.m., the Inn at Woodloch Pines, 731 Welcome Lake Road, Hawley; Tuesday, 1-6 p.m., Blooming Grove Fire Hall, 484 Route 739, Lords Valley; Wednesday, 1-6 p.m., Hemlock Grove United Methodist Church, 491 Roemerville Road, Greentown; Thursday, 1:30-6:30 p.m., Greeley Fire Department, 245 Route 590, Greeley.

Pittston

Health fair: Fourth annual health fair sponsored by Pittston Memorial Library, Thursday, conference room at the library, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., with at least 30 vendors having table booths inside the library, 47 Broad St., Pittston. Contact: Howard J. Grossman, 570-262-3443 or grossmanhj@aol.com.

Scranton

Night at races: Friends of the Arc-NEPA Auxiliary presenting “A Night at the Races,” Friday, St. Mary’s Center, 320 Mifflin Ave., Scranton; doors at 6 p.m., post time at 6:30; door prizes, basket raffle, 50/50, food and soft drinks provided with admission; beer and wine available at the cash bar until 10; $10/ticket. Contact: 570-346-4010.

Seniors meet: Southside Friendly Seniors will meet Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. at St. Paul of the Cross Parish Center, Prospect Avenue. Thanksgiving luncheon will be served.

Wayne County

Blood drive: American Red Cross blood donation opportunities, Tuesday, 12:30-6:30 p.m., Lemnitzer Armory, 232 Tryon St., Honesdale; Friday, 1-6 p.m., Grace Episcopal Church, 827 Church St., Honesdale.

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

PPL Electric Utilities’ residential customers who don’t shop for their electricity supply will soon see a decline in their electric bills.

Non-shopping small business customers, however, will pay more.

An average residential customers who does not shop for energy and uses 1,000 kilowatt-hours per month will see their average bill decrease about $4.10 per month to $129.20, said PPL spokesman Joe Nixon.

For a small commercial customer who does not shop for energy and uses 1,000 kilowatt-hours per month, the average bill will increase $4.68 a month to $117.78, Nixon said.

About 58 percent of residential customers and 47 percent of small business customers don’t shop for their electricity supply, he said.

The price is adjusted every six months and will be adjusted again on June 1, he said.

— DENISE ALLABAUGH

Republican state Sen. Lisa Baker is running for a fourth term in the 20th District.

Her challenger, Green Party candidate John Sweeney, said he’s running primarily so she doesn’t cruise to re-election unopposed.

Democrats didn’t field a candidate to challenge Baker.

“Democracy demands a choice and the voters deserve one,” Sweeney said.

Baker said the choice is clear. Her successful record as a senator has earned her another term.

“I feel I have a very positive, strong record of achievement in office,” Baker said.

Touting herself as a “problem solver,” Baker noted she has sponsored 30 bills that have been signed into law.

Sweeney thinks schools should be funded by the state’s general fund, not only by local property taxes.

He also thinks marijuana should be legalized and regulated like alcohol.

“In a free society, we should be able to do that. Pennsylvania is ready. Let’s get with the 21st century,” Sweeney said. “We’re losing money that’s going to the black market.”

Sweeney promises to caucus with the Democrats if elected.

However, he realizes winning will not be an easy task.

“It’s a serious challenge to try and defeat Lisa Baker. It’s probably why the Democrats haven’t tried to do so,” Sweeney said. “I want to see more people run.”

Baker notes she has 31 years of appointed and elected experience in state government. Her district, which includes 116 municipalities, is larger than the state of Delaware, she said.

She said she voted to advance Senate Bill 76, which aims to eliminate school property taxes. The senate vote was 24-24 and Democrat Lt. Gov. Mike Stack cast the tie-breaking vote against passing the bill.

Baker said she is open to talking about “relief, reform, and elimination” of taxes at any time.

Sweeney said he doesn’t support the bill “as written” because the wage tax increases 60 percent.

Baker said she doesn’t support a current severance tax on the natural gas industry because the landowners will be paying much of it. With the current impact fee, the drillers pay solely, she said.

“The gas is owned by the people of Pennsylvania. The gas is owned by the property owners,” Baker said.

Sweeney said he concedes the industry “has brought a lot of money into the region,” but he thinks the state should be focusing more on solar, wind and geothermal sources of clean energy.

“I don’t want to tax an industry I don’t want to see grow in the state,” Sweeney said.

Contact the writer:

bkalinowski@citizensvoice.com;

570-821-2055;

@cvbobkal on Twitter

20th District

Name: Lisa Baker

Party: Republican

Age: 57

Residence: Lehman Twp.

Occupation: Incumbent state senator for the 20th District

Name: John J. Sweeney

Party: Green

Age: 65

Residence: Falls Twp.

Occupation: Owner of a wood finishing/painting business

Q: I have a 2015 Nissan Rogue with 30,000 miles on it. I’ve done all the oil changes as called for. So far, I’ve always used a synthetic blend oil. At my last oil change, however, they used a full synthetic oil. I want to go back to the synthetic blend next time. Any problem with that? Thanks.

— AL

A: No. As an American, you have a constitutional right to switch oils, Al. There are three types of oil out there these days. There’s conventional oil, which comes from decomposed dinosaurs and is pumped out of the ground. That’s what we’ve been using for decades. And it’s been constantly improved over the years.

Sometime in the 1970s, Mobil One became the first widely available synthetic motor oil. Synthetic oils also have been improved over the years.

Then there is what’s called a synthetic blend, which is the material your leisure suit was made out of in 1979, Al. Actually, a blend is exactly what it sounds like: It’s a mix of synthetic oil and conventional oil. And the only real advantage of a synthetic blend is that it’s a little cheaper than a pure synthetic.

In terms of its longevity and its ability to lubricate, conventional oil is the least effective, a blend would be next best, and a synthetic would be best of all. And, in fact, over the past decade in particular, we’ve seen car manufacturers really embrace synthetic oils because, since they help engines last longer, they cut down on warranty costs. And on bad Yelp reviews.

And even though synthetic oils are more expensive, since you change them about half as often, we’ve found that it’s pretty close to a wash. So you’ll only pay for half has many oil changes, half as many oil disposal fees and half as many oil filters. So, technically, there’s no problem with you switching back to a synthetic blend, Al, but there’s no real advantage to it. Unless you really enjoy the coffee and vending machines at your oil-change place.

Volunteers meet

The Lackawanna County Republican Party will host a meeting today at noon for volunteers interested in helping on Election Day. The meeting will take place at party headquarters, 400 Spruce St., Scranton.

Free GOP rally

Rep. Lou Barletta’s U.S. Senate campaign and John Chrin’s congressional campaign will jointly host a free rally for supporters at 6:30 p.m. Monday at Arcaro & Genell, 443 S. Main St., Old Forge.

PPL Electric Utilities’ residential customers who don’t shop for their electricity supply will soon see a decline in their electric bills.

Non-shopping small business customers, however, will pay more.

An average residential customers who does not shop for energy and uses 1,000 kilowatt-hours per month will see their average bill decrease about $4.10 per month to $129.20, said PPL spokesman Joe Nixon.

For a small commercial customer who does not shop for energy and uses 1,000 kilowatt-hours per month, the average bill will increase $4.68 a month to $117.78, Nixon said.

About 58 percent of residential customers and 47 percent of small business customers don’t shop for their electricity supply, he said.

The price is adjusted every six months and will be adjusted again on June 1, he said.

— DENISE ALLABAUGH

WILKES-BARRE TWP. — Dick’s Sporting Goods in the Arena Hub, which sustained major damage from the June tornado, will reopen at 9 a.m. on Nov. 19, the store announced in a news release.

After the June 13 tornado with 130 mph winds, building material and part of Dick’s sign was found miles away in Bear Creek Twp.

Belfor Property Restoration was hired to remodel the stores damaged by the tornado in the Arena Hub and work continues behind fenced-in areas.

Next to Dick’s, the T.J. Maxx store that was also damaged will reopen 8 a.m. Nov. 18, according to a post on its website. It follows the reopening of Staples, which was remodeled after the tornado ripped off sections of the store’s roof and caused extensive water damage.

Renovations also continue at PetSmart in the Arena Hub. A spokeswoman recently said she expects the store will reopen in December, but she could not provide an exact date.

Barnes & Noble has opened a temporary store in the nearby East End Center. Its store in the Arena Hub will not open until early next year, store officials said, but the temporary store will serve customers until then.

Ashley Furniture, which was destroyed by the tornado, has reopened in a new location behind the Wyoming Valley Mall that formerly housed H.H. Gregg and other vacant stores.

A strip mall anchored by Panera Bread at Wilkes-Barre Township Commons was condemned and is slated for demolition, but it’s not clear when it will be torn down. Efforts to reach a spokesperson for the strip mall’s owner Urban Edge Properties were unsuccessful.

After the tornado, employees from GameStop, one of the businesses in the strip mall, began working at another location in the Wyoming Valley Mall. GameStop recently opened another store in the Wilkes-Barre Twp. Marketplace near Walmart.

Contact the writer:

dallabaugh@citizensvoice.com; 570-821-2115;

@CVAllabaugh on Twitter

For more than a decade, Wyoming County failed to claim $226,962 in bridge inspection reimbursements from the state Department of Transportation, according to a state audit.

State Auditor General Eugene DePasquale blasted the county for failing to submit paperwork required to claim the money since 2007.

“Wyoming County made no effort to claim hundreds of thousands of dollars due to them despite my repeated warnings in audits that the money was available and waiting,” DePasquale said in a press release. “Drivers should not be dodging potholes because someone at the county level let the necessary paperwork simply fall through the cracks. ... You would think when you tell someone there is $226,000 just waiting for them, they would show some excitement or immediately jump in a car and head to Harrisburg to get their money. We heard nothing. Silence. Crickets.”

The state reimburses counties 80 to 100 percent of the cost for bridge inspections, which are required every two years. Counties must submit invoices to PennDOT for reimbursement.

Five audits, dating to 2007, recommended Wyoming County officials seek the reimbursements, DePasquale said. Wyoming County missed out on $66,499 in 2014, $7,224 in 2012, $46,454 in 2011, $3,297 in 2010, $89,254 in 2008 and 2009, and $14,234 in 2007.

It is unclear how much PennDOT will reimburse now because some of the claims are so old, DePasquale said.

DePasquale also pointed out that Wyoming County is not alone in failing to file required paperwork for bridge inspection reimbursements, citing Cameron and Lackawanna counties.

Lackawanna missed out on $207,157 for bridge inspections from 2010 to 2013, according to an audit completed in August 2017. Cameron failed to claim $12,747 in reimbursements, according to an audit released in July.

In the wake of Lackawanna County’s audit, county officials worked with PennDOT and recovered more than $164,000.

While Lackawanna won’t be able to recover any additional money, acting Chief of Staff Donald Frederickson said the county’s engineering firm, Greenman-Pedersen Inc., is making sure all required invoices are submitted for PennDOT reimbursements.

County officials blamed Acker Associates, the now-defunct engineering firm that once served as county engineer, for not submitting invoices for the reimbursements.

Wyoming County’s audit, released late last week, also found officials there failed to designate nearly $100,000 in liquid fuels gas tax funds to road projects. PennDOT guidelines now call for the county commissioners to distribute half of that money to municipalities.

Liquid fuels gas tax funding comes from a one-half-cent tax collected on each gallon of gasoline purchased at the pump.

“If the county commissioners can’t find a use for that $100,000, I am certain the municipal officials will be more than happy to help out,” DePasquale said in the press release.

Wyoming County Clerk Bill Gaylord acknowledged some mistakes were made but said the charge of not filling a lot of potholes is ridiculous because the county does not own any roads.

“We own 12 bridges and can’t spend most of it because the bridges are in good shape,” he said.

Gaylord acknowledged some paperwork was filled out but never filed. He said he plans to meet with PennDOT to rectify the issue, and have the liquid fuels gas tax funds reallocated to municipalities.

Wyoming County Commissioner Tom Henry said he takes issues with some of DePasquale’s comments.

“Do we want to get an excess of funds back to municipalities for them to fix roads that need it?” he asked. “Of course we do, and we’re committed to do that.”

In response, DePasquale, in a second press release, said he is “livid at county officials, who seem unfazed about ignoring $226,962 in available funding — instead of passing the buck, they should be claiming it. It’s dereliction of duty to fail to obtain every cent of gas tax funding so that residents and first responders can avoid long detours because of bridges and roads in need of repair.”

JEFF HORVATH, staff writer, contributed to this report.

Contact the writer:

bbaker@wcexaminer.com;

570-836-2123 x33

ESTATES FILED

• Marjorie Wildenberg, 942 Wildenberg Road, Union Dale; letters testamentary to Patricia Peltz, 1383 Wildenberg Road, Union Dale.

• Ruth Matthews, 225 Park St., Montrose; letters testamentary to Russell Matthews, East Keller Street, Mechanicsburg.

• David Lauer, 1059 Route 2005, Springville; letters testamentary to Elizabeth Robison, 216 Strasburg Drive, Simpsonville, S.C.

• Nancy Clough, 727 Route 2051, Montrose; letters testamentary to Linda Wood, 1620 Old County Road, Montrose.

MARRIAGE LICENSES

• Adam Mason and Elizabeth Hinkley, both of Hop Bottom.

• John Adams and Debra Dissinger, both of Susquehanna.

• Dale Fisher, New Milford, and Sara VanCott, Conklin, N.Y.

• James Tanzini Jr. and Stephanie Norton, both of Susquehanna.

PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS

• Victoria Swanson (estate), to Maple Highlands LLC, Herrick Twp.; two parcels, $288,500 and $136,500.

• April Hawley, to Peter and Michele Swanson; a property in Montrose for $140,000.

• William Jr. and Kimberly Sayre, to Robert Lee and Shane Pope; a property in Clifford Twp. for $55,000.

• Stephen Strzelecki to David and Julie Barton; a property in New Milford Twp. for $187,000.

• Sally Whitney to Chad Earl; a property in New Milford Twp. for $115,000.

• Douglas and Lisa Higgins, to Robert and Marita Monteforte; a property in New Milford Twp. for $310,000.

• US Bank National Association, to Carol Adkins and Christopher and Kaylynn Nichols; a property in Montrose for $46,900.

• William and Carrie Paulin, to Edward Borner; a property in Forest City for $97,000.

• James MacArthur, to Dirk and Sandra Marshall; a property in Montrose for $105,000.

• Carol Lesjack, to Matthew Tanzini and Jamie White; a property in Hallstead for $121,000.

• Theordore and Barbara Kazmierczak, to Kathryn Dewitt and Tyler Phillips; a property in Gibson Twp. for $275,000.

• Cheryl Belcher, to Ervin, Lorraine, Franklin G., and Janet Belcher; a property in Clifford Twp. for $285,000.

• Franklin and Dorothy Baldwin, to Montrose Bible Conference; a property in Montrose for $50,000.

• Stephen and Anna Hudock, to Wendy Neuberger; a property in Silver Lake Twp. for $331,000.

• Massoud Basharat, to Raymond Cebular; a property in Harmony Twp. for $106,000.

SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY COURT NOTES appear weekly in The Times-Tribune.

With the midterm elections Tuesday, it’s time to see how Google searches on hot political topics are stacking up across Pennsylvania.

Google News Initiative’s Google Trends midterm page tracks data broken down by state and county on the candidates and top issues searched, such as health care, guns and immigration.

The project sheds light on real-time data over a week-to-week period, and while it isn’t about voting intentions, it does provide a peek into the curious minds of voters.

The numbers, or data points, on Google Trends are divided by the total searches of the geography and time range represented compared to relative popularity.

The results are then scaled on a range of 0 to 100 based on a topic’s proportion to all searches on all topics. Trends only show data for popular terms, and repeat searches from the same person are eliminated.

Here’s a look at what Pennsylvanians were honing in on in the final days before the election, over a seven-day period:

Candidate searches

Statewide, there is much higher search interest for Democratic Sen. Bob Casey over Republican U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta in the U.S. Senate race.

Fayette, Huntingdon, Indiana, Mercer, Tioga, Union and Wayne counties have very high search interest in Casey.

Luzerne, Schuylkill and Northumberland counties are highest for Barletta, who served as mayor of Hazleton from 1999 to 2010.

In the Pennsylvania gubernatorial race, Democratic incumbent Gov. Tom Wolf and Republican challenger Scott Wagner appear to have almost split interest across the state.

Hot topics

Pennsylvania’s interest in highly-searched political topics appears to mirror the rest of the country. The top five most searched topics are health care, immigration, tariffs, abortion and guns.

Less searched topics over the seven-day period included Social Security and minimum wage.

Contact the writer:

ssigafoos@mcall.com;

610-820-6612;

@ssigafoos on Twitter

A Dallas man is accused of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl last year.

Moosic police charged Austin Knight, 29, 215 Huntsville Road, with aggravated indecent assault, sexual assault, indecent assault and unlawful contact with a minor stemming from incidents at a borough home between October and December.

The Times-Tribune does not identify victims of sexual assault.

The girl and her mother reported the assaults to borough police in January. The girl told investigators she met Knight at a Wilkes-Barre-area skating rink sometime last year and they became friends. About three weeks to a month after they met, the girl told police she and Knight attended a haunted house together last Halloween and afterward, he inappropriately touched her at a Moosic home, according to court documents.

The girl told investigators Knight forced himself on her and sexually assaulted her on another occasion after she told him no and tried to push him away, according to court documents.

Officers took DNA samples from the scene of the sexual assault and took a DNA sample from Knight, police said. Testing at a state police laboratory determined the DNA profiles matched, according to court documents.

Magisterial District Judge Terrence Gallagher arraigned Knight on Thursday and set bail at $25,000. Knight is free after posting bond. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Wednesday.

Contact the writer:

cover@timesshamrock.com;

570-348-9100 x5363;

@ClaytonOver on Twitter

No one formally expressed interest in running a new version of the Charl-Mont restaurant at the former Globe store in downtown Scranton.

Nearing the end of a roughly $18 million project to convert the Wyoming Avenue landmark into the future home of Lackawanna County government, county officials in October released a request for proposals seeking an operator for a new eatery there bearing the Charl-Mont name. Known for its menu of hearty meals, the original Charl-Mont was a staple of the department store for decades.

Officials were “disappointed” when the deadline to submit proposals passed last week and they received none. However, county officials remain committed to offering a version of the Charl-Mont at the soon-to-be Lackawanna County Government Center at the former Globe, county acting Chief of Staff Donald Frederickson said.

“There is definitely going to be some sort of facility there,” Frederickson said, noting about 900 county employees and hundreds of residents using county services will work or do business at the building daily when it opens next year.

Plans are for the new Charl-Mont to be a coffee/snack shop. It won’t have large ovens, grills or other equipment that requires fire suppression systems, per the RFP.

While the RFP produced no proposals, county Purchasing Director Joe Wechsler said two parties that toured the Charl-Mont space during a walk-through last month seemed interested in the prospect of running it. Officials likely will review the original RFP and possibly make changes before reissuing it, he said.

“There is interest there, it’s just a matter of putting the right package and information together,” Wechsler said. “It should be a very attractive opportunity for a business in the city.”

If the second RFP fails to yield proposals, the county can seek out and negotiate with potential operators without going through the RFP process, Frederickson said.

Contact the writer:

jhorvath@timesshamrock.com;

570-348-9141; @jhorvathTT on Twitter

Nov. 3, 1968

Nixon has small lead in poll

In the final Scranton Times presidential poll before Election Day, Republican candidate Richard Nixon held a 1-point lead over his opponent, Vice President Hubert Humphrey. Nixon received 42 percent of the votes from readers, with Humphrey receiving 41 percent. American Independent candidate George Wallace received 5 percent. Twelve percent of poll participants said they were undecided.

YMCA coming to Dunmore

The Greater Scranton Young Men’s Christian Association announced it would build its new facility on an 11-acre tract in Dunmore at the O’Neill Highway and Interstate 81. YMCA officials said the Dunmore site was chosen because of its accessibility to the entire region.

Junior high students

to present space comedy

Students at South Scranton Junior High School planned to take theatergoers on a journey to the stars with their production of “Father’s Been to Mars.”

The comedy centered on a television star, his family and the show he worked on. It was to feature dance numbers with music by the Young Americans. The cast included Alan Griffiths, Glen Heusner, William Roditski, Susan Wanalista, Toni Sarcinelli, Linda Bonny, Kathleen Kirwin, Christine Barrett, Maria Snyder, Ann Costanzo and Judy Leitner.

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.

MARRIAGE LICENSES

• Willard P. Abram and Bonnie Martin, both of Scranton.

• Michael Manley and Lindsey Marie Perry, both of Scranton.

• Ashley Gianna Hembury, Pittston, and Scott William McCawley, Taylor.

PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS

• James H. and Maureen A. Horger, Cape Coral, Fla., to Robert C., Sharon K. and Michelle L. Hammaker, Mechanicsburg; a property at 41 Parkland Drive, Building 5, South Abington Twp., for $224,000.

• Penn Foster Inc., formerly known as International Correspondence Schools Inc., to Reading Railroad Transfer LLC; a property at Main Street, Ransom Twp., for $970,000.

• Michelle Dutko, Scranton, to Vipinchandra K. and Chandrikabahen V. Patel, Scranton; a property at 1026 Wheeler Ave., Scranton, for $81,000.

• Jean M. Nealon, Lackawanna County, to Athanatoi Associates, Clarks Summit; a property at Tiffany Drive, Dunmore, for $160,000.

• Giant Properties Group LLC to Manuel E. and Yaritza Alvarado, Scranton; a property at 1208 S. Webster Ave., Scranton, for $25,500.

• Matthew P. and Mary Ann H. Yakubisin, Sunnyvale, Calif., to Nicholas R. McDonald, Clarks Summit; a property at 114 Apache Drive, Old Forge, for $110,000.

• Denise Gurz, Scranton, to Plymouthraz LLC, Lackawanna County; a property at 907 Prescott Ave., Scranton, for $40,000.

• Michael Joseph and Jamie L. Scattone, Throop, to Amanda Marie Pietrowski, Scranton; a property at 408 Dunmore St., Throop, for $84,800.

• Nancy A. Kallan and Jennifer J. Bennett, Clifton Twp., to Dion A. and Jennifer L. Woolley, Hopewell Junction, N.Y.; a property in Clifton Twp. for $115,000.

• Frank Butkiewicz, Waverly Twp., to Elizabeth S. Schaeffer, Clarks Summit; a property at 113 School St., Waverly Twp., for $224,540.

• William G. and Sheryl Turner, Scranton, to Nandu R. Nepal, Scranton; a property at 621 Connell St., Scranton, for $144,000.

• Paul Bernardi Jr., administrator of the estate of Paul R. Bernardi, Scranton, to Darren Von Bergen, Scranton; a property at 1055 N. Garfield Ave., Scranton, for $72,500.

• Albert J. and Sandra A. Wilbur, Throop, to Nicholas C. Reuther and Jacqueline C. Safko, Dunmore; a property at 432 Cypress St., Throop, for $172,500.

• Landems LLC, Lackawanna County, to John Sheridan, Paul Smallacombe and Joe Sweder Jr., Lackawanna County; a property at 571 Washington Ave., Jermyn, for $30,000.

• Frank P. Talarico, Scranton, to Tung Du, South Abington Twp.; a property at 640-642 N. Sumner Ave., Scranton, for $105,000.

• Deborah L. Curmaci, now by marriage Deborah L. Zborovian, Duryea, to Que Tran, Dunmore; a property at 515 Winola Road, Clarks Summit, for $59,000.

• Anthony and Lisa Vinci and Steven Guerrera to John and Luzia Cristina Caldone; a property in Covington Twp. for $29,000.

• Teresa P. Kelley, by her attorney in fact, Harold P. Kelly; Brenda and Robert Mulally; Sara Martinez Kelley and Angel Martinez, by their attorney in fact, Brenda Mulally; Philip Forgione and Geri Totaro to Patrick H. Carr, Dunmore; a property at 304 N. Blakely St., Dunmore, for $65,000.

• David L. and Nora L. Clark, Lackawanna County, to Meghan Lyn Furman, Colorado; two parcels in Scranton for $57,000.

• Regina Blewitt and Eric Aposhian, Dunmore, to Corey and Katie Gilroy, Dunmore; a property at 1723 Quincy Ave., Dunmore, for $236,900.

• Kenneth and Linda Powell, Scott Twp., to Gerald and Kathryn M. Chellino, Peckville; a property at 110 Falcon Lane, Archbald, for $302,381.

• Susquehanna Conference of the United Methodist Church, through its board of trustees in Mechanicsburg, to Luke and Melissa Dierking, Mount Joy; a property at Greenbriar Drive, Spring Brook Twp., for $260,000.

• W.R. Wallis Inc., Carbondale, to Adams CATV Inc., Carbondale; a property at Main Street, Carbondale, for $275,000.

DIVORCES SOUGHT

• Judy Domenick, Peckville, v. William Domenick, Dunmore; married July 11, 1988, in Scranton; pro se.

• Jason Johnson, Clarks Summit, v. Breah Johnson, North Abington Twp.; married Aug. 25, 2007, in Clarks Summit; John T. O’Malley, attorney.

• Christina Corona, Old Forge, v. Mario Corona, Norristown; married June 22, 2004, in Montgomery County; pro se.

STATE TAX LIENS

• Michael and Amber Eden Matassa, 140 Route 191, Cresco; $1,138.07.

• Michael and Amber Eden Matassa, 140 Route 191, Cresco; $1,135.93.

• John Sweeney, 6 David Terrace, Scranton; $2,161.06.

• CNY2013 Inc., 538 Scranton-Carbondale Highway, Scranton; $4,546.97.

• C B Tomaine Co., P.O. Box 467, Carbondale; $1,801.78.

• Fred Pacolitch and Kimberly Kimmel, 38 Magnolia Drive, Thornhurst Twp.; $875.48.

• United Fuel Sales LLC and United Fuel Sales, 915 Wyoming Ave., Scranton; $6,753.64.

• Jonathan Tischler, 120 Linair Farms Road, Waverly Twp.; $2,868.25.

• Gavin S. Doty, 2209 Cherry Hill Road, Clarks Summit; $1,350.97.

• Eric J. Rogan, 84 Brook St., Carbondale; $9,556.26.

• Joseph D. Profera, 1710 Green Ridge St., Dunmore; $30,264.62.

• Juan Perez Vazquez, 1032 Green Holly Road, South Abington Twp.; $4,157.78.

• William J. and Samantha Palumbo, 1035 Luke Ave., Scranton; $2,109.79.

• Ferree J. Quinn, 717 Linden St., Clarks Summit; $5,282.08.

• Audrey A. Leon, individually and as owner of DB Rent-A-Car, 333 Oak St., Scranton; $5,823.57.

• Dan A. Naylor, 627 Seamans Road, Factoryville; $10,065.30.

• Margaret Courtney, 274 Phillips Road, Clifton Twp.; $360.93.

• John Sweeney, 6 David Terrace, Scranton; $343.10.

LAWSUITS

• Christy Golden and her minor daughter, Jaelinh Ly, 806 Herbert St., Scranton, v. Nilka Diaz Ortiz, Rear 635 Maple St., Scranton, and Travelers Automobile Insurance Co., One Tower Square, Hartford, Conn., seeking an amount in excess of $50,000, exclusive of interest and costs, and in excess of any jurisdictional amount requiring compulsory arbitration, and all such other relief as the court finds just and proper, on three counts, for injuries suffered in an automobile accident on March 29 at Prospect Avenue and Campbell Street, Scranton; Neil T. O’Donnell, attorney.

• Francis M. Cannon, 220 Linden St., Apt. 410, Scranton, v. Reginald Watts, 226 Front St., Elizabeth, N.J., BK Carrier Corp., 110 Cypress Drive, East Windsor, N.J., and Goldfinch Carrier Group, 157 Sharon Road, Robbinsville, N.J., seeking an amount in excess of $50,000 with interest, costs, delay damages and such other relief as the court deems appropriate, on four counts, for injuries suffered in an automobile accident on Aug. 22, 2017, on North Keyser Avenue in Scranton; Timothy G. Lenahan, attorney.

• Jessica A. VanBuskirk, 117 N. Hyde Park Ave., Scranton, v. Jonathan Kirby, 1466 State Route 92 Highway, Harding, seeking an amount in excess of $50,000 with interest, costs, delay damages and such other relief as the court deems appropriate, for injuries suffered in an automobile accident on Dec. 19, 2017, on Mulberry Street in Scranton; Timothy G. Lenahan, attorney.

ONLINE: thetimes-tribune.com/courts

With waiting lists at senior housing centers throughout Lackawanna County, a new 48-unit housing complex in Moscow fills a critical need for the region.

Three months after opening its doors, the Academy II Senior Housing Complex on Academy Street leased 30 of its 48 housing units, with 20 residents already moved in. The $11.3 million complex offers 44 single-bedroom and four two-bedroom apartments, developer Mark Paradise said. Paradise spent the past five years working on the project and plans to have all 48 units filled by the end of the year. Rent is on a sliding scale based on what percentage of the median income people make, and ranges from $495 to $606 a month for one-bedroom units and $722 a month for two-bedroom apartments.

The aging population in Lackawanna County is 3 percent higher than the rest of the state, with about 30 percent of the county’s 214,000 residents over the age of 60, said Jason Kavulich, director of the Lackawanna County Area Agency on Aging.

“The project in Moscow is huge,” Kavulich said. “There’s waiting lists all over the place.”

The county has “limited senior housing resources” and struggles to find placements for seniors “literally every day,” he said.

When seniors retire, they often have limited resources, and maintaining a home can be costly — even overwhelming, he said.

Seniors faced with eviction or condemnation call the agency on a daily basis, Kavulich said, and the lack of available housing directly affects senior homelessness.

The complex is the only senior-specific housing in Moscow, Mayor Rosemarie Warner said. For lifelong Moscow residents who can no longer live on their own, the center means they can continue living in their hometown.

The location of the complex allows seniors to have easy access to local stores, churches and parks, so it is “definitely a positive” for the local economy, she said. “It’s good growth for our borough. We’re so pleased to have it.”

The project will receive $1.07 million in annual tax credits for 10 years and a $970,000 no-interest loan through the PennHomes Program. After being rejected for the tax credits twice, Paradise thanked state Sen. John Blake and state Rep. Mike Carroll, D-118, Avoca, for advocating on behalf of the project in Harrisburg for a third time.

The housing complex is an important development for the region that “gives area seniors a new, affordable place to call home,” Blake said in a statement.

The minimum age for applicants at the complex is 62, and it features six handicapped-accessible apartments with audio and visual aids, including doorbells that activate strobe lights and special fire alarms, Paradise said.

Additionally, residents receive an emergency pendant that will give emergency medical personnel their exact location in the complex if needed, he said.

“Completing the project ... we created a good, safe home for 48 senior citizens that will continue on for at least 30 years,” Paradise said.

To apply for housing at the senior complex, contact property manager Sandy Carney at 570-344-5999.

Contact the writer:

flesnefsky@timesshamrock.com;

570-348-9100 x5181;

@flesnefskyTT on Twitter

TUNKHANNOCK — A suspended Factoryville veterinarian faces up to 14 years in jail for recording conversations without permission.

Michele Zajac, 50, of Factoryville, pleaded guilty Friday to two felony counts of intercept communications before President Judge Russell Shurtleff in Wyoming County Court.

According to court records, in February an employee of the Bunker Hill Veterinarian Hospital, where Zajac worked, said she discovered a camera in one of the hospital’s treatment rooms and believed she was being taped.

The complaint notes that a number of current and former employees made similar complaints to an investigator from the Pennsylvania Department of State.

According to the complaint, iPhones belonging to Zajac and her husband were seized, along with two cameras that had been in the veterinary hospital. She will be sentenced at a later date.

Her lawyer, attorney Robert Munley, said Friday’s action had nothing to do with Zajac’s temporary suspension as a veterinarian with the Department of State, which, according to its licensing website, is to expire Nov. 30.

Other guilty pleas entered Friday include:

Randall Paul Austin, 41, of Susquehanna, to resisting arrest on May 19.

John William Barber, 53, of Nicholson, to theft by unlawful taking on June 1, 2017; and to cruelty to animals on Jan. 1.

Wayne Matthew Brace, 32, of Dallas, to simple assault on Sept. 2, 2017.

Christopher Allen Buckas, 48, of Scranton, to receiving advance payment for services and failing to perform on May 3, 2017.

Brannon Mikel Burns, 32, of Lubbock, Texas, to DUI of a controlled substance on Nov. 9.

Coty James Dippel, 24, of Dalton, to DUI of a controlled substance, second offense, on Feb. 26; and to possession of drug paraphernalia on Feb. 26.

Brandon Wayne Derricott, 28, of Union Dale, to DUI of a controlled substance, second offense, on April 9.

Edwin Sumner Gormley Jr., 39, of Springville, to sale or illegal use of certain solvents on April 9; to DUI of a controlled substance, second offense, on May 15; to DUI of a controlled substance, third offense, on May 25; and to DUI of a controlled substance, fourth offense, on May 26.

Tonya Louise Harrison, 42, of Tunkhannock, to DUI of a controlled substance, second offense, on April 11.

Sameal J. Hill, 27, of Tunkhannock, to simple assault on Aug. 9.

Lisa Anne Mattocks, 47, of Tunkhannock, to recklessly endangering another person on Aug. 1, 2017.

Jessica Marie Meritt, 30, of Harford, to possession of drug paraphernalia on June 18, 2017.

Derek Jeffery Millard, 20, of Laceyville, to possession of drug paraphernalia on July 5.

David Carl Stine, 57, of Hop Bottom, to DUI of a controlled substance on April 27.

Daniel Phillip Washburn, 37, of Laceyville, to theft by unlawful taking on Aug. 11.

James Robert Weaver, 24, of Laceyville, to terroristic threats on July 9.

George Emerson Zacharias Jr., 35, of Tunkhannock, to aggravated assault on Jan. 30; and to theft by unlawful taking on Jan. 29.

Robert Edward Zagata, 29, of Factoryville, to defiant trespass on April 18.

Contact the writer:

bbaker@wcexaminer.com;

570-836-2123 x33

Steven A. Cooper

Wanted by: Wayne County detectives.

Fugitive since: Oct. 18.

Wanted for: Criminal homicide, robbery, aggravated assault, simple assault and conspiracy.

Description: Black man, 19 years old, 5 feet 10 inches tall, 150 pounds.

Contact: Wayne County detectives, 570-229-1204; 911.

Efrain Dones

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

Fugitive since: Aug. 31.

Wanted for: Firearm not to be carried without a license, robbery, theft, receiving stolen property. Sentenced to three to seven years of incarceration. Paroled May 4.

Description: Hispanic man, 24 years old, 5 feet 8 inches tall, 155 pounds, black hair, brown eyes.

Contact: Agent Michael Roberts, 570-963-4326 or 800-932-4857; Scranton police, 570-348-4134.

Elijah M. Watson

Wanted by: Wayne County detectives.

Fugitive since: 2017.

Wanted for: Possession with intent to deliver, criminal use of a communication facility and related offenses.

Description: Black man, 31 years old, 5 feet 9 inches tall, 200 pounds, black hair, brown eyes. Last seen driving a silver 2006 Chrysler 300 with New Jersey registration H19-JHF.

Contact: Wayne County detectives, 570-253-5970, ext. 2255.

Michael Ubaldini

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

Fugitive since: April 18.

Wanted for: Two counts of robbery with serious bodily injury. Sentenced to two to four years of incarceration. Paroled July 27.

Description: White man, 52 years old, 5 feet 11 inches tall, 190 pounds, brown hair, gray eyes.

Contact: Agent Gary Demuth, 570-614-7244 or 800-932-4857.

Eddie Omar Gonzalez

Wanted by: Lackawanna County Adult Probation/Parole.

Fugitive since: Jan. 2.

Wanted for: Probation violations for underlying offense of theft.

Description: White male, 29 years old, 5 feet 10 inches tall, 260 pounds, black hair, brown eyes.

Contact: Warrant Officer Jerry Spiegel, 570-963-6876 or Spiegelj@Lackawannacounty.org.

Both Uber and Lyft have offered to give some voters who live in communities where public transportation is limited free rides to the polls in the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area and throughout the country on Tuesday.

Uber is partnering with #VoteTogether and Democracy Works to provide free rides to people who live in areas with few transportation options and is offering other voters $10 off a ride to the polls, said Uber spokesman Harry Hartfield.

Uber customers will have access to a “Get to the Polls” button, which will get them to their nearest polling place, he said.

Riders can get a discount by following these steps: make sure you have the more recent version of the Uber app, enter the Election Day promo code in your app that will be made available to users on Election Day and request a ride using the polling place locator.

Uber officials said they announced the initiative to help ensure transportation isn’t a barrier in getting to the polls.

Lyft also announced it will provide free rides for residents in underserved communities through non-partisan and nonprofit partners including Voto Latino, local Urban League affiliates and the National Federation of the Blind.

In the area and throughout the country, Lyft also is providing 50 percent off rides for others to encourage voter turnout.

Lyft is working with Vote.org, Nonprofit Vote, TurboVote and others to help distribute codes to those who need them and will have a product integration to help passengers find their polling location.

“With past elections, people have cited transportation as one of the top reasons why they didn’t vote. That’s why this election year, we want to remove that barrier and make it easier for people across the country to exercise their right to vote,” said Lyft spokesman Zachary Kizer.

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre residents can visit BuzzFeed to access the promo code, he said.

Contact the writer:

dallabaugh@citizensvoice.com;

570-821-2115;

@CVAllabaugh on Twitter

SCRANTON

The Lackawanna County Court system and all county offices except the county Department of Elections will be closed Tuesday for Election Day.

Those wishing to access the Department of Elections on Tuesday may do so at its offices, 2400 Stafford Ave. The courts and other county offices will reopen for normal business on Wednesday.

— STAFF REPORT

1. To jump-start growth, Scranton may consider a tax abatement on commercial and residential improvements for how long?

A. 1 year

B. 5 years

C. 10 years

D. 20 years

2. Parking meters represent almost $100,000 in revenue here, but a backlog in broken ones is damaging the town’s budget.

A. Scranton

B. Carbondale

C. Dickson City

D. Jessup

3. True or false? A banner on a former Catholic church in Scranton identifying it as a sanctuary for those in the U.S. illegally, with a picture of three Democratic candidates, was the work of businessman Bob Bolus.

A. True

B. False

4. In an abrupt shift in strategy, Mayor Bill Courtright’s administration plans to borrow how much as a short-term loan to fund Scranton's distressed pension system?

A. $23,000

B. $100,000

C. $230,000

D. $23 million

5. Officials from what local bank rang the Nasdaq closing bell Monday?

A. FNCB Bank

B. Luzerne Bank

C. NBT Bank

D. Landmark Bank

6. Owner John Basalyga said his Electric City Parking Garage in Scranton should get a tax reduction because it’s worth only how much?

A. $2,500

B. $25,000

C. $250,000

D. $25 million

7. What former vice president was annonced Wednesday to stump for local Democratic candidates tonight?

A. Al Gore

B. Dick Cheney

C. Walter Mondale

D. Joe Biden

8. Two 18-year-olds invoking a popular horror film and stealing a woman’s purse were arrested Wednesday. What was the film they referenced?

A. “Friday the 13th”

B. “Halloween”

C. “The Purge”

D. “Assault on Precinct 13”

9. What topic dominated a Lackawanna County budget hearing Thursday morning?

A. Health care contributions

B. A proposed tax increase

C. Flood protection

D. County-run parks

10. True or false? Sheetz in Dickson City will begin to sell beer Jan. 1.

A. True

B. False, it’s as soon as a final inspection by the state

Answers: 1. C; 2. B; 3. A; 4. D; 5. A; 6. B; 7. D; 8. C; 9. A; 10. B