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Article 18

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'Dark Knight' still atop box office

LOS ANGELES - "The Dark Knight Rises" stayed atop the box office for the second straight weekend, making just over $64 million. But it's lagging behind the staggering numbers of its predecessor, 2008's "The Dark Knight."

The final piece in Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy has now grossed more than $289 million in its first 10 days in theaters. It dropped 60 percent from its opening weekend of $160.9 million.

"Ice Age: Continental Drift," which is still going strong in its third week, took second. It made $13.3 million for a domestic total of nearly $114.9 million.Among the new arrivals in theaters, the comedy "The Watch" opened in third place with $13 million.

Decisions soon in euro debt crisis

BERLIN - German and Italian leaders issued a new pledge to protect the eurozone, while the influential eurogroup chairman was quoted Sunday as saying that officials have no time to lose and will decide in the coming days what measures to take.

The weekend comments capped a string of assurances from European leaders that they will do everything they can to save the 17-nation euro. They came before markets open for a week in which close attention will be focused on Thursday's monthly meeting of the European Central Bank's policy-setting governing council.

"What measures we will take, we will decide in the coming days," Jean-Claude Juncker, the Luxembourg prime minister who also chairs meetings of the eurozone finance ministers, or eurogroup, was quoted as telling the German daily Sueddeutsche Zeitung. "We no longer have any time to lose."

Japanese protest nuclear power

TOKYO - Thousands of people formed "a human chain" around Japan's parliament complex Sunday to demand the government abandon nuclear power - the latest in a series of peaceful demonstrations on a scale not seen in the nation for decades.

Also Sunday, voters went to the polls in a closely watched election for governor of southwestern Yamaguchi prefecture, where an outspoken anti-nuclear candidate was running. Japanese media reported his loss late Sunday, citing exit polls, although official results had not been tallied.

Protesters said they were angry the government restarted two reactors earlier this month despite safety worries after the multiple meltdowns at the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant in March last year. The reactors were the first to return to operation since May, when the last of Japan's 50 working reactors went offline for routine checks.

Myanmar may OK credit cards

YANGON, Myanmar - Banks in Myanmar are hoping to begin handling international credit card transactions by next year.

Than Lwin, deputy chairman of the prominent Kanbawza Bank, said Sunday that negotiations are under way with Visa on the use of its cards.

Foreign visitors have been unable to use credit cards because of U.S. and EU restrictions on money transactions since 2003. Western countries imposed sanctions on Myanmar because of its repressive policies, but began easing them this year after elected President Thein Sein initiated political and economic reforms.

Another Myanmar banker who declined to be identified because he is not authorized to release information said talks are also ongoing with MasterCard, China Union Pay and Japan Credit Bureau and he hopes credit card transactions will be possible by 2013.


On July 30 in NEPA

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On this date in NEPA

75 years ago, at a state Liquor Control Board hearing, inspector Daniel Flood testified he was able to buy two 32-ounce beers at a tavern owned by Mary Chomko of Olyphant on a Sunday. Mrs. Chomko testified she did sell the beers, for 10 cents. She withdrew her application to prevent the LCB from pressing charges for Sunday sales.

50 years ago, Liquor Control Board agents raided a speak-easy at Elk Lake and arrested owners James and Florence McCarthy. Agents found 60 cases of beer in four refrigerators. The pair were charged with selling malt beverages without a license.

25 years ago, the state Department of Transportation announced it would widen two parts of Route 6 in Dickson City.

10 years ago, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport officials said the Transportation Security Administration would install an explosive detection system at the airport.

EPA to look for lead in soil at St. Francis Kitchen site

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Federal environmental regulators plan to return to the property around St. Francis of Assisi Kitchen in Scranton this fall to assess if a century-old legacy of toxic lead processing persists in the nearby soil.

The plot at Penn Avenue and Vine Street was once the home of the Euston Lead Co., a firm founded in 1914 to manufacture white lead, then a common pigment in lead paint. It is now home to a Catholic Diocese of Scranton-run facility where daily meals are provided to the homeless and working poor.

During the plant's 45 years of operation and the dramatic fire that destroyed it, airborne pollution may have drifted down on the site or been carried by the wind to properties nearby.

Because lead contamination deposited in soil - by industry, lead paint dust or car exhaust - does not decay easily, the potential health risks can remain indefinitely unless the dirt is removed, remediated or covered.

Exposure to lead is particularly dangerous to children, whose growth, behavior and ability to learn can be affected by high lead levels in their blood. Contractors for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency took photographs and reviewed maps and population data around the Euston site in 2006 and recommended that exposed soil on and near the property be tested because of the lot's proximity to schools.

The contractors found "no immediate threats or risks" at the time of the preliminary assessment, the agency said in a statement.

The EPA will reassess the site in the next fiscal year, which begins in October, and evaluate whether there are pathways "where people, especially children, could come in direct contact with contaminated soil," it said.

The evaluation could include sampling soil on the property or nearby lots.

The Euston Lead site is one of about 430 former lead factories across the country that were unknown to state and federal regulators until they were identified through historical research by environmental scientist William Eckel in 2001.

The Euston factory stopped operating in the late 1950s and a fire destroyed the building in 1960. The property changed hands several times - it was a Texaco gas station for some time - before being bought in 1984 by St. Francis of Assisi Kitchen.

Most of the former lead factories identified by Mr. Eckel, including the Euston plant, were closed and largely forgotten before modern environmental regulations were in place to limit emissions from such sites and, if necessary, mandate cleanup.

Soil testing at seven of eight sites Mr. Eckel investigated in Baltimore and Philadelphia uncovered elevated levels of lead and a "high potential" for public exposure, according to his 2001 research published in the American Journal of Public Health. He warned that the findings "should create some sense of urgency for the investigation of the other sites identified here because they may represent a significant source of exposure to lead in their local environments."

In 2004, the state Department of Health sent a fact sheet to doctors across the state mapping Pennsylvania's 53 former lead processing sites identified by Mr. Eckel and recommended they consider testing blood lead levels in children under 6 who live near the sites.

The handout marks the Euston plant in a small subset map of Scranton.

"Since most facilities operated decades ago, residents living nearby may not be aware of a potential health risk," the department wrote.

The fate of the forgotten factories was detailed in a recent series of articles by USA Today, which described regulators' stalled or inadequate efforts to test and remediate most sites identified by Mr. Eckel.

After the articles were published, Sen. Bob Casey joined other senators in urging the EPA to address the sites.

"The residual contamination poses a serious public health risk to our children who play on playgrounds and attend schools that are contaminated by the former smelter sites," he said. "It is important the sites are placed on high priority for remediation and all residents are informed."

Information about the former factory and its potential risks is not common knowledge.

The Diocese of Scranton was never told about the EPA's past or future evaluation of the site, spokesman William Genello said. It was also never told that there might be health or environmental concerns associated with the property because it once hosted a lead processing plant.

An environmental assessment of the property was performed before the kitchen bought the corner lot, he said, but only to gauge the risks of mine subsidence, which turned out to be very low.

Contact the writer: llegere@timesshamrock.com

Few details exist with scholarship program for students in low-performing schools

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In one month, students in three low-performing schools in Lackawanna County could be enrolled elsewhere.

The state's new Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit Program allows those schools' students from families with low to moderate incomes to apply for money to attend a different public or private school.

But the quick deadline and scant details have local educators concerned, skeptical and even angry.

Last week, the state released a list of low-performing schools, or those that rank in the bottom 15 percent based on the combined math and reading scores on 2010-11 standardized tests.

In Lackawanna County, George Bancroft and John F. Kennedy elementary schools in Scranton and Mid Valley High School in Throop are included.

Six Luzerne County schools made the list: GAR Memorial Junior/Senior High School and Dodson, Kistler and Heights elementary schools in Wilkes-Barre and Hazleton Area High School and Hazleton Area Elementary Middle School.

The list took educators by surprise last week, as districts had not been notified on their school's rankings before they were made public.

"I just don't understand this whole process of trying to punish public schools, while cutting funding, eliminating tutoring programs," Scranton Superintendent William King said Friday.

Districts are to be officially notified by Wednesday, and then will have 15 days to inform parents. The state expects the process, including application and the granting of scholarships, to be completed in time for the start of school this year, a Department of Education spokesman said Friday. Gov. Tom Corbett signed the legislation earlier this month.

Families with income below $60,000, plus $12,000 for each dependent member of the household, are eligible to apply. In 2013, that number increases to $75,000, plus $12,000 for each dependent. Scholarships of up to $8,500, or up to $15,000 for special education students, will be granted.

Any student residing in the attendance boundary is eligible to apply for a scholarship - even those who attend private schools. If students opt to enroll elsewhere, their district of residence is responsible for transportation within 10 miles of the home district's border. Total state money for the program is $50 million, and is funded through donations from business, which are then given tax credits.

The Department of Education's website, www.education.state.pa.us, will be updated with more information on the program this week, spokesman Tim Eller said.

Bancroft's designation as low-performing especially surprised Mr. King because the school met Adequate Yearly Progress - the state's measure of achievement - for the 2010-11 test scores. It's also the district's poorest school, with more than 80 percent of students qualifying for free- and reduced-price lunches. Most of the 414 schools on the list are in urban districts.

"They are penalized by what I consider a ridiculous new law," Mr. King said. "No matter what, there will be a bottom 15 percent. It's not like all of these schools are in terrible shape."

Mr. King, who was on vacation last week, will meet with district officials this week to discuss the next steps. Efforts to reach Mid Valley Superintendent Randy Parry were unsuccessful Thursday and Friday, but he said on Wednesday that the 2010-11 test scores were some of the lowest ever and test scores had improved for 2011-12.

Students who receive scholarships will be able to take them to schools in the Diocese of Scranton.

Contact the writer: shofius@timesshamrock.com

In a statement released Friday, Bishop Joseph C. Bambera noted that the program is an opportunity for the diocese to serve even more families who desire Catholic school education for their children.

"We are anxious to explore the potential of this program for families throughout the diocese and await the final details of its implementation," according to the statement.

Contact the writer: shofius@timesshamrock.com @HofiusHallTT on Twitter

Lakeland weighs options to renovate district facilities

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SCOTT TWP. - After months of deliberation, the Lakeland School Board has selected a $17.4 million renovation plan, but it will be up to the taxpayers whether it moves forward.

The plan will potentially repair urgent deficiencies, as well as provide "long overdue" renovations throughout the district, according to board member Stanley Stracham.

"The only way you can pay for it is to raise taxes," he said. "If we do not ask that question of the public, we're at a standstill."

Before the public is asked to support a proposed 10-mill tax increase, the school board will distribute a survey to the community. That survey, which will lay out the details of the renovation plan and gauge support for the project, will be sent out by Aug. 1 with tax bills.

The board was unsure of the procedure of tabulating the results of the surveys at a meeting July 18, but they will be shared, said board President Mary Retzbach.

"We're going to publish the results obviously," she said.

The 10-mill increase would translate to about a $120 increase in the typical tax bill, said business manager Brian Cooney., The money would fund renovations in all academic buildings, the field house and build an addition to the high school.

The addition would create a separate wing for the seventh and eighth grades and expand the music rooms. Renovations would include paving, doors, windows, updated restrooms, boiler replacement and new telephone infrastructure.

The items of greatest need, which include the leaking high school roof, heating systems in the gymnasium and outdoor lighting, will be addressed before the survey.

In June, the board approved a motion allowing Superintendent Margaret Billings-Jones, Ed.D., to secure a $3.5 million bond to repair those immediate needs.

"We take a chance of the heat not working," Ms. Retzbach said of the sole remaining heating unit in the gymnasium. "We've been rolling the dice on that for a long time."

Beyond those repairs, the board will rely on the public to determine the scale of further renovations.

Some citizens voiced their support at the regular July meeting, but not all attendees were convinced.

"If the insurance company thought it was a serious problem, they wouldn't have renewed our coverage," Rose Canick said, in reference to the state of the buildings.

Regardless of the referendum though, Ms. Retzbach said the board intends to move forward with renovations. The board will submit the project to the state Department of Education before a moratorium on reimbursing new school construction projects takes effect in October, she said.

If the board decides to pursue a referendum and the public does not approve it, she said they will be able to scale back to the project throughout the planning process, but still have a chance at state reimbursement for part of the cost.

Since 2006, just one of six proposed referendums for building projects has succeeded in Pennsylvania, said David Davare, Ph.D., director of research services at the Pennsylvania School Boards Association.

"Most people don't have a point of reference for what $1 million is," he said of why he believed they failed. "The number becomes so large for some people that it becomes a great fear."

Walking around the building, not all needs are apparent, said Mr. Stracham.

"It's the stuff we don't see," he said, referring to internal and mechanical issues he called "big dollar" items. We also need "to take care of the necessities of today."

Despite voicing a need for upgrades and repairs, some board members had concerns at a work session on July 10.

"In other districts, teachers are being furloughed and programs are being cut. That's why I'm hesitant," board member Jill Yoniski said. "I'm not going to support it without the public."

Contact the writer: rbrown@timesshamrock.com, @rbrownTT on Twitter

Poor lose safety net this week

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HARRISBURG - A decades-old state program that provides cash grants as a lifeline to the poor will go out of existence Wednesday with a one-month reprieve having run its course.

The General Assistance cash grant program, which dates to the Great Depression, has provided a monthly stipend of roughly $200 to nearly 70,000 Pennsylvanians. The great majority of recipients have been adults with permanent or temporary disabilities, but they also include victims of domestic violence, children under 18 in the care of an adult who is not a relative and individuals in drug and alcohol treatment programs.

A Senate tally shows: 1,297 recipients in Luzerne County; 975 in Lackawanna County; 516 in Schuylkill County; 449 in Monroe County; 246 in Northumberland County; 181 in Wayne County; 149 in Carbon County; 127 in Susquehanna County; 116 in Pike County; 115 in Bradford County; 68 in Wyoming County; and 16 in Sullivan County.

The program was slated to end July 1 with the new fiscal year, but a last-minute agreement under the new state budget let it run through this month so recipients could be officially notified by the Department of Public Welfare.

Gov. Tom Corbett proposed eliminating the program in his budget address in February. The administration has generally eliminated or cut back social service programs that go beyond what the federal government requires.

Conceivably, someone could receive his or her last General Assistance stipend on Tuesday, said DPW spokeswoman Carey Miller.

Since the program's demise became evident, debate has focused on what DPW is doing to cushion the loss of the monthly stipend for a vulnerable population. Mr. Corbett said last month that efforts would be made to determine if those losing stipends are eligible for other programs.

"We are encouraging clients to go to their caseworker," said Ms. Miller.

She said the type of assistance available would depend on each individual's situation, but access to medical assistance and food stamps are two possibilities.

There's no sign of a systematic effort by state officials to assist General Assistance recipients, said Gary Drapek, president of the United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne counties.

"You will start realizing a lot of fallout from the loss of GA when the cold weather starts hitting," said Mr. Drapek.

A number of area recipients rely on the stipend to help with heating costs, said Mr. Drapek. United Way is putting resources into a "Gift of Warmth" program that it operates to help meet that need.

A coalition of advocacy groups wants Mr. Corbett to say publicly what programs are available for those losing general assistance. The coalition plans events in several cities Tuesday.

"It is time for the governor to tell us what help he found," said Terrance Meacham of the Philadelphia Unemployment Project.

Contact the writer: rswift@timesshamrock.com

Article 12

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BROWN, ELAINE PHYLLIS JENKINS PERRY, formerly of Dunmore, Wednesday, 11 a.m., Brandywine Valley Funeral Care, 412 Philadelphia Pike, Wilmington, Del. Interment, noon, Thursday, Fairview Memorial Park, Elmhurst. Calling hours, Wednesday, 10 to 11. Contributions: RiverCross Fellowship, P.O. Box 9289, Wilmington, DE 19809.

BUBERNAK, HARRY, Boothwyn, Mass, Wednesday, 11 a.m., St. John Fisher Church, Boothwyn. Interment, Lawn Croft Cemetery, Linwood. Calling hours, 9:15 to 10:15, Pagano Funeral Home, 3711 Foulk Road, Garnet Valley. Contributions: St. Joseph's Center, 2010 Adams Ave., Scranton, PA 18509.

CAPTAIN, JOSEPHINE, Mayfield, today, Mass, 10 a.m., Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Parish, by her nephew, the Rev. John O'Bell. Interment in Calvary Cemetery, Mayfield. Calling hours, 9 to 10, church. Arrangements: Ryczak-Harrison Funeral Home Inc., Mayfield.

CASWELL, THOMAS JAMES, North Scranton, today, Edward Knight O'Donnell Funeral Home, 323 William St., Scranton. Mass, 11 a.m., Holy Rosary Church. Entombment, Cathedral Cemetery Mausoleum, Scranton. Go directly to church.

CATALANO, JOAN MARIE, Clarks Green, Mass, today, 10 a.m., Church of St. Gregory, 330 N. Abington Road, Clarks Green, by the Rev. John M. Lapera. Interment, Hickory Grove Cemetery, Waverly. Contributions: St. Francis of Assisi Kitchen, 500 Penn Ave., Scranton, PA 18503, or St. Joseph's Center Foundation, 2010 Adams Ave., Scranton, PA 18509. Arrangements: Lawrence E. Young Funeral Home, Clarks Summit. Condolences: law renceeyoungfuneralhome.com.

CORDARO, SALLY A., Dunmore, today, Carlucci-Golden-DeSantis Funeral Home, Inc., 318 E. Drinker St., Dunmore. Mass, 9:30 a.m., St. Mary's Church, Chestnut Street, Dunmore. Interment, Milwaukee Cemetery, Clarks Summit. Contributions: Hospice of the Sacred Heart, 600 Baltimore Drive, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702. Condolences: DunmoreFuneralHome.com.

DRISCOLE, REV. DANIEL DEXTER III, Moscow, Tuesday, 10 a.m., Sznyter Funeral Home, 1101 Prospect Ave., Scranton. Interment, Fairview Memorial Park, Elmhurst. Calling hours, today, 5 to 8 p.m. Union Lodge 291 services, 7:30.

DUGGAN, THEODORE F., Dalton, Tuesday, 2 p.m., Elm Park United Methodist Church, 712 Linden St., Scranton. Condolences: vanstonandjames.com. Arrangements: Vanston and James Funeral Home, Scranton.

FESTINO, RAYMOND J., Old Forge, Tuesday, 11 a.m., Thomas P. Kearney Funeral Home Inc., 517 N. Main St., Old Forge, by the Rev. Wendy D'Agostino, Nebo Congregational Church. Interment, Mountain View Cemetery, Harding. Calling hours, today, 5 to 8 p.m. Condolences: KearneyFuneralHome.com.

FLANNELLY, GRACE, Scranton, today, 8:30 a.m., Arthur A. Albini Funeral Home, 1003 Church St., Jessup. Mass, 9:30, Holy Rosary Church, 316 William St., Scranton. Interment, St. Mary's Cemetery, Dunmore. Contributions: her church or to St. Ann's Monastery, 1250 St. Ann's St., Scranton, PA 18508.

GLOSS, FRANK PETER, Knoxville, Tenn., formerly of Miami, Atlanta and Scranton, calling hours, Saturday, 10 to 11 a.m. service, 11, Click Funeral Home Middlebrook Chapel, Knoxville. Contributions: Make-A-Wish, www.wishetn.wish.org or charity of choice.

GUMMOE, CATELIN GRACE, Honesdale, Mass, Wednesday, 10 a.m., St. John's Church, Honesdale. Burial, Darling Cemetery. Calling hours, Tuesday, 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m., Hessling Funeral Home, 428 Main St., Honesdale. Contributions: Catelin Gummoe Benefit, c/o Honesdale National Bank, 733 Main St., Honesdale, PA 18431.

HANNON, CHARLES J. JR., North Pocono, Tuesday, 10:30 a.m., Brian Arthur Strauch Funeral Homes and Cremation Services, 3 First St., Spring Brook Twp., by the Rev. Eric Luczak. Interment, Fairview Memorial Park. Calling hours, today, 5 to 8 p.m. Contributions: Daleville/Maple Lake United Methodist Church, 632 Route 690, Spring Brook Twp., PA 18444. Condolences: strauchfuneralhomes.com.

HINELINE, THOMAS A. SR., Sterling, Thursday, 11:30 a.m., Catterson Cemetery, Sterling. Calling hours, Wednesday, 5 to 8 p.m., James Wilson Funeral Home, 143 Gravity Road, Lake Ariel. Condolences: jameswilsonfuneralhome.com.

HOYNOWSKI, CHARLES S., Clark, N.J., Tuesday, 9 a.m., Bomberger-Lesko Funeral Home, 1660 N. Main Ave., Scranton. Mass, 9:30, St. Mary's Church, Dickson City. Interment, Cathedral Cemetery, Scranton. Calling hours, today, 5 to 8 p.m. Contributions: St. Jude Tribute Program, P.O. Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38148-0142, or charity of choice. Condolences: BLFHInc.com.

KONOPKA, STELLA, Mount Cobb, Mass, Wednesday, 10 a.m., St. Eulalia's Church, Elmhurst, by Monsignor John Jordan. Interment, All Saints Cemetery, Hollisterville. Calling hours, Tuesday, 4 to 7 p.m., Brian Arthur Strauch Funeral Homes and Cremation Services, 3 First St., Spring Brook Twp. Contributions: Jefferson Twp. Volunteer Ambulance, 130 N. Shore Lane, Lake Ariel, PA 18436.

KRUBITZER, PAUL ROBERT, Plains Twp., Tuesday, 10 a.m., Corcoran Funeral Home Inc., 20 S. Main St., Plains Twp. Interment, private. Calling hours, today, 5 to 8 p.m. Contributions: SPCA of Luzerne County, 524 E. Main St., Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702. Condolences: corcoranfuneralhome.com.

LANE, CAROLYN M., Archbald, Tuesday, 9 a.m., Harrison Funeral Home, 374 Main St., Archbald. Mass, 9:30, St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Archbald. Interment, parish cemetery. Calling hours, today, 4 to 7 p.m.

MATYJEVICH, JOSEPH A., Scranton, Mass, Tuesday, 9:30 a.m., St. Patrick's Church, JScranton. Interment, Cathedral Cemetery, Scranton. Arrangements: Thomas J. Hughes Funeral Home Inc., Scranton.

McCOLLIGAN, JOSEPH M., Old Forge, private. Contributions: Compassionate Care Hospice, 960 N. Main Ave., Scranton, PA 18508. Arrangements: Carl J. Savino Funeral Home, 157 S. Main Ave., Scranton.

MOORE, GAIL ANN, Scranton, private. Arrangements: Kearney Funeral Home Inc., 125 N. Main Ave., Scranton. Condolences: KearneyFuneralHome.com.

NEUBERT, THEODORE WILSON, Waverly, today, Waverly Country Club, 4 to 7 p.m. Internment, private, Hickory Grove Cemetery, Waverly. Contributions: Friendship House, 1509 Maple St., Scranton, PA 18505, or VNA Hospice of Lackawanna County, 301 Delaware St., Olyphant, PA 18447. Arrangements: Jennings-Calvey Funeral and Cremation Services Inc., Clarks Summit. Condolences: jenningscalvey.com.

ORZELL, JOSEPH V., West Scranton, Tuesday, 10:30 a.m., Patrick F. Guido Funeral Home, 120 S. Main Ave., Scranton, by the Rev. Rebecca Tanner. Interment, Fairview Memorial Park, Elmhurst. Calling hours, today, 4 to 6 p.m.; Tuesday, 10 to service. Condolences: patrick guidofuneralhome.

RILEY, LYDIA J., Taylor, Friday, 11 a.m., Dunmore Cemetery. Calling hours, Tuesday, 5 to 8 p.m., Brian Arthur Strauch Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 602 Birch St., Scranton. Condolences: strauchfu neralhomes.com.

ROMANOSKI, FRANK, Duryea, today, 9:30 a.m., Kiesinger Funeral Services Inc., 255 McAlpine St., Duryea. Mass, 10, Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, Duryea, by the Rev. Andrew Sinnott. Interment, Marcy Cemetery, Duryea. Condolences: kiesingerfuneralservices.com.

ROSSI, JOSEPH, South Scranton, Mass, today, 10 a.m., St. Francis of Assisi Church, 630 Genet St., Scranton. Interment, Mount Carmel Cemetery, Dunmore. Go directly to church. Arrangements: Miller Bean Funeral Home Inc., 436 Cedar Ave., Scranton. Contributions: St. Jude Children's Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-1942, or American Lung Association in Pennsylvania, Marywood University, 2300 Adams Ave., Scranton, PA 18509-1598. Condolences: miller beanfh.com.

SILVESTRI, AMELIA, Peckville, today, James M. Margotta Funeral Home, 1019 Main St., Peckville. Mass, Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, Peckville, 9:30 a.m. Interment, St. John's Cemetery, Jessup. Calling hours, today, 8:15 to 9:15. Condolences: margottafu neralhomes.com.

SIMPSON, GREG W., South Abington Twp., formerly of Scranton, Tuesday, 12:30 p.m., Abington Hills Cemetery, South Abington Twp. Calling hours, today, 6 to 9 p.m., Lawrence E. Young Funeral Home, 418 S. State St., Clarks Summit. Contributions: St. Joseph's Center, 2010 Adams Ave., Scranton, PA 18509. Condolenc-es: lawrenceey oungfuneralhome.com.

TOMCZYK, VERONICA, Jessup, Tuesday, Louis M. Margotta Funeral Home, 511 Church St., Jessup. Divine Liturgy, 9:30 a.m., Holy Ghost Church, Jessup. Go directly to church. Interment, parish cemetery. Calling hours, today, 6 to 8 p.m. Condolences: margottafuneralhomes.com.

WHITEHOUSE, BENJAMIN J., formerly of Newton Twp., today, 10 a.m., Lawrence E. Young Funeral Home, 418 S. State St., Clarks Summit, by the Rev. Dr. J. P. Duncan, pastor, Countryside Community Church. Interment, Milwaukee Cemetery, Clarks Summit. Contributions: Countryside Community Church Building Fund, 14001 Church Hill Road, Clarks Summit, PA 18411; or Greater PA Chapter, Alzheimer's Association, NE Regional Office, 57 N. Franklin St., Wilkes-Barre PA 18701. Condolences: lawrenceeyoungfu neralhome.com.

Community events list, 7/30/12

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Blakely/Peckville

Night out: Blakely/Peckville Night Out, Friday, parade 7 p.m., parade assembly, 6:15, Blakely Hose Company 2, festivities follow at Mellow Park.

Carbondale

Car cruise: Coal Cracker Cruisers Car Club car cruise, Friday, 6-9 p.m., Advance Auto Parts, Business Route 6; music, door prizes, 50/50, trophies, food by Boy Scout Troop 888; 876-4034.

Factoryville

Parade entries: Christy Mathewson Days parade entries needed; parade, Aug. 11, 5 p.m.; groups, musicians, athletes, floats wanted; contact Steve O'Malley, 945-5877.

Forest City

Car cruise: Coal Cracker Cruisers Car Club car cruise, Saturday, 5-9 p.m., Main Street, for Old Home Week; music, food, prizes, trophies and a homemade pie contest; 876-4034.

Hughestown

Rummage sale: St. Peter's Lutheran Church rummage sale, Thursday, 4-8 p.m., Friday, 2-8, and Saturday, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., bag day; Rock Street, household items, clothing, books, paintings, holiday decorations.

Scranton

AARP picnic: AARP Scranton Chapter 3731 picnic, Aug. 6, 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m., McDade Park; $9; refreshments, entertainment and prizes; reservations close Wednesday; Tom, 330-0181.

Thornhurst

Chicken barbecue: Thornhurst Volunteer Fire and Rescue barbecued chicken dinner, Saturday, 4-7 p.m.; takeouts available, $9/adults and $5/children; 842-2335.

CLIPBOARD ITEMS may be e-mailed to yesdesk@times shamrock.com or mailed to clipboard, c/o the YES!Desk at 149 Penn Ave., Scranton, 18503. For details, call the YES!Desk at 348-9121.


Luzerne County's new manager surprised by 'state of fiscal affairs'

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WILKES-BARRE - Robert Lawton did plenty of homework on Luzerne County before leaving California and taking over as Luzerne County manager on Feb. 29.

But he still was taken aback a bit by problems and hurdles involving county finances and operations he has encountered.

"I thought I had a pretty good handle of the challenges that we would face," Mr. Lawton said last week during an extensive interview with the Citizens' Voice editorial board. "But I think probably the thing that has surprised me the most has been the state of fiscal affairs here at the county and the lack of centralization, at least as far as information, much less accountability."

Mr. Lawton is the first permanent manager of the county's new home-rule government which abolished a state-mandated form of governing and eliminated seven row offices headed by elected officials.

Officials in the home-rule government are reviewing proposals for a new centralized financial system and trying to consolidate more than 100 county bank accounts, Mr. Lawton said.

"Checks are written directly from those accounts that don't materialize in the county central financial system," he said. "That's part of a long-ingrained culture from a prior structure. And going forward, it makes it difficult to get historical financial information to track revenues and expenditures, to determine what is appropriate, what's not. And given that everyone knows the dire financial situation the county is in … it's surprising that had not been addressed sooner.

"But again, it is one reason in favor of home rule."

The financial situation is caused in part by a debt burden to pay back more than $330 million in principal. About 20 percent of this year's $122 million budget is earmarked for debt payments. The county is also facing a budget deficit of about $2 million without additional spending cuts.

"I don't think we can get everything into one big bank account, but we may be able to get it down significantly from the 100 or some odd that are out there, and particularly the ones that are out there where the county manager doesn't sign for, but rather other officers do. We are pulling those in as we go through the budget process," he said, adding that later this year, the county will advertise a request for proposals for banking services.

"I am finding that we have millions of dollars in a non-interest-bearing account for which I have to pay fees to transfer money. That to me is absolutely ludicrous," he said.

Before becoming Luzerne County manager, Mr. Lawton worked as principal management analyst at Solano County, Calif. He previously was the chief executive of Calaveras County, Calif.

Some advocates of the Luzerne County home-rule charter have become frustrated that reforms and personnel changes have not transpired since the home-rule government began Jan. 2. Voters approved the charter in November 2010.

"The vote on the charter was the starting gun of a marathon. It wasn't the checkered flag of the race," Mr. Lawton said. "We are in the first leg of that marathon. I think the first two years are going to be critical in completing the vision of the framers as far as organization and staffing, and demonstrating to the public that there has been a real change at the courthouse."

Contact the writer: mbuffer@citizensvoice.com

Enthusiasts gather for Scranton photo walk

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They are social workers, students, retirees and software engineers.

They are equipped with everything from camera phones to digital point-and-shoot cameras, to professional-grade cameras with long, black lenses.

No matter what they do or how long they've been taking photographs, one thing they all have in common is a passion for photography and the desire to explore the city with microscopic intensity.

The group gathered outside Northern Light Espresso Bar on Sunday for a photography walk through downtown Scranton, organized by Shickshinny Lake resident Patrick Gensel.

Mr. Gensel was inspired to create the walk after participating in one in Austin, Texas, earlier this year. Gathering with a group of like-minded people can help foster creativity, and activity can help photographers look at regular objects with a new perspective, Mr. Gensel said.

"I wanted to take photos that actually captured what I was seeing," he said,

Mr. Gensel crouched on the sidewalk, angling his camera upward at a bike rack on the street corner, his counterparts zooming in on signs and building designs, door frames and manhole covers, capturing minute details.

First-time photo walker Cheri Sundra of Wilkes-Barre has been shooting urban exploration photography for at least two years, taking photographs and exploring abandoned buildings and ghost towns.

She said it's not only fun, but allows for a different way to communicate. "It's just something people don't normally do," she said.

Graphic designer and jewelry maker Cori Preston traveled from Bethlehem to support Mr. Gensel and his photo walk, using her Canon Rebel to take various shots of architecture and city happenings.

"I think it just makes you look at the city in a totally different way," she said.

Contact the writer: ksullivan@timesshamrock.com, @ksullivanTT on Twitter

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Teens allegedly assaulted trooper

PARADISE TWP. - Two teenagers were arrested after allegedly assaulting a state trooper in Monroe County late Saturday.

Brandon Hartrum, 19, and Ditalian Scarbrough, 19, both of 118 Natures Way, Cresco, were charged with aggravated assault and other charges, police said.

State police at Swiftwater responded to a disturbance report at the address at 11:30 p.m. When they arrived, Mr. Hartrum and Mr. Scarbrough became "combative" and assaulted a patrol supervisor, according to police.

Lackawanna County offerS arts mini-grants

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Commissioners offer arts grants

SCRANTON - The Lackawanna County commissioners will conduct a mini-grants program for the arts throughout August.

There will also be a series of workshops at area libraries to familiarize applicants with the type of projects funded and the process to apply for the grants, which are worth up to $3,000.

Library workshops include: Thursday, Aug. 9, Carbondale; Monday, Aug. 13, Abington; Tuesday, Aug. 14, North Pocono; Wednesday, Aug. 22, Valley Community, all 5:30-7:30 p.m.; and Monday, Aug. 13, Albright Memorial, and Tuesday, Aug. 28, Dalton and Taylor, all 6-8 p.m.

Applications can be made on the arts and culture page of www.lackawannacounty.org. To register, call Chris Calvey at 963-6590 or email arts-culture@ lackawannacounty.org.

Water main break repaired on Olive Street in Scranton

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Water main break repaired in city

SCRANTON - A break in a 6-inch water main left Olive Street between Wyoming and North Washington avenues without service Sunday for about six hours.

Susan Turcmanovich, external affairs manager for Pennsylvania American Water Co., said the break occurred around 1 p.m. and repairs were complete by 7.

The break, and the affected buildings, are in a mostly commercial area, Ms. Turcmanovich said, adding that most of the businesses were closed Sunday.

Man arrested after driving more than 100 mph

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Police say driver clocked at 104

JESSUP - State police at Dunmore arrested a Scranton man early Saturday on suspicion of driving under the influence when he was stopped for driving more than 100 mph.

Casey Shea, 30, was traveling 104 mph in a 65 mph zone in the westbound lane of Route 6 at about 12:57 a.m. when troopers pulled him over at Exit 3, state police said.

Mr. Shea was taken to the Lackawanna County Processing Center, and numerous charges are pending, state police said.

Area volunteers sew for a cause

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Reading through a recent email, Nancy Johnson-Srebro's eyes fixated on a thumbnail size picture of a child.

Even though she never met the child, she immediately felt connected to the young African girl.

The girl was wearing an orange dress with a pattern of scattered green leaves - a dress that Mrs. Johnson-Srebro, of Tunkhannock, had hand-sewn through her volunteer work with the nonprofit group Little Dresses for Africa.

"I was speechless," said Mrs. Johnson-Srebro.

In March, she spearheaded a regional effort to sew dresses and shorts and then donate them to children in Africa. Now, after a "tremendous" effort from volunteers in Tunkhannock, Montrose, Wyalusing and Waverly, the group has sewn and donated 341 dresses and more than 200 shorts for Little Dresses for Africa. The Christian organization, founded in 2007 and based in Brownstown, Mich., has volunteers throughout the United States, Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom. It has donated more than a million dresses to young girls through orphanages, churches and schools in 42 African counties.

"It's been an amazing show of support from the local communities," said Mrs. Johnson-Srebro, who estimated that it takes about two hours to sew a dress. "We're not done, though. We've set a goal of 500 dresses to donate."

Though she's the driving force behind the local group, Mrs. Johnson-Srebro wasn't interested in joining at first.

"I gave it a shot, and I loved it," she said. "I think God had another plan for me."

Mrs. Johnson-Srebro then traveled to local churches and quilt groups, where she told residents about the organization and showcased the dresses she had sewn.

It worked.

More than 75 volunteers from different area quilt groups - including Peg Winter, founder of Always in Stitches - started sewing dresses.

"She came to our quilt group of about 25 women and showed us a few dresses," Ms. Winter said. "Almost all of us were fascinated by the idea and wanted to join the group."

As the number of volunteers increased, so did the amount of fabric and thread required to get the job done. And soon, Mrs. Johnson-Srebro was receiving three boxes of fabric and thread at a time, donated by various companies.

"We are going to continue working to improve this organization and bring more people on board," she said. "My personal goal is to sew 500 dresses."

Contact the writer: miorfino@timesshamrock.com


Police search for Dickson City gas station robber

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Police search for gas station robber

DICKSON CITY - Borough police are looking for a man who robbed a gas station Sunday night, making off with about $2,580.

A man wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, black pants and a black ski mask entered Sunoco on the 1000 block of Business Route 6 at about 9 p.m. and demanded money out of the cash register, Officer Scott Benzeleski said.

The clerk told police he saw what he believed to be a gun sticking out of the man's waistband, Officer Benzeleski said.

The man, described as being about 5 feet 6 inches tall and about 120 pounds, fled in a black extended-cab pickup truck, Officer Benzeleski said. The clerk told police there was a second man in the truck with a baseball bat.

Urgent-care clinic opens in Carbondale months after hospital closes

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CARBONDALE - When Marian Community Hospital closed in late February, Upvalley residents had no other options for immediate care between Honesdale and Scranton.

Helping fill health care needs in the area, Pioneer City Urgent Care, a seven-day-a-week clinic, has opened to treat anything from bronchitis to earaches and bone fractures.

"Having an urgent-care clinic in our city is vitally important to our residents and the surrounding area," said Carbondale Mayor Justin Taylor, a former emergency medical technician. "This is really the first line of defense with anyone with a medical situation."

Jaime A. Cook, R.N., practice manager for the clinic and a registered nurse, said people should consider the new facility instead of driving out of the area for medical assistance.

"We're going to be able to fill in the holes and gaps that the hospital closing provided," said Mrs. Cook.

Owned by two physicians and two chiropractors, the Carbondale clinic opened this month and is modeled after the Lake Region Urgent Care clinic in Hawley, also owned by the two physicians.

Described as an alternative to the emergency room or an option when someone's primary physician isn't available, Pioneer City Urgent Care provides X-ray and laboratory services. Joseph Soliman, M.D., a co-owner of the clinic who works there part time, said the facility offers convenience of location when people need quick medical help.

"People can come in and we see them right away," Dr. Soliman said.

While the clinic serves people now that Marian Hospital closed after years of financial struggles, Mr. Taylor would still like a hospital to serve the area. However, he and other community leaders haven't found interested parties ready to open an acute-care hospital in a small market.

The property where Marian Hospital was located could be marketed as a suitable site for an educational facility or corporate center, Mr. Taylor said.

As for the new urgent-care clinic, it has helped provide more than health care. Mrs. Cook said the clinic has added about 10 jobs, keeping familiar faces in the area.

Registered nurse Krista Smith worked at Marian for 20 years until it closed. Now a staff nurse at Pioneer City Urgent Care, she sees some of the same patients she saw while working at the hospital.

"I recognize many of the people who come in here," Ms. Smith said.

Contact the writer: rward@timesshamrock.com, @rwardTT on Twitter

St. Joseph's Center festival rises from rains for a sunny ending

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DUNMORE - Crowds were watching Irish dancers jig and reel across a makeshift floor; clusters of people under white tents feasted on porketta and sausage-and-pepper sandwiches, funnel cakes, potato pancakes, ice cream and hot coffee; lines of people browsed the craft and auction tents.

The large number of people on hand for the closing day of St. Joseph's Center Auxiliary Summer Festival Sunday made it difficult to tell the weekend's crowd and fundraising numbers had been slightly dampened by Friday and Saturday's rain.

"The weather hampered us a bit, but today was awesome," said Sister Maryalice Jacquinot, I.H.M., president and CEO, as she was in the process of helping take down equipment on Marywood University's campus Sunday night.

After raising about $263,000 from the WNEP telethon and Joe Snedeker's Go Joe Bike Ride, Sister Jacquinot estimated the festival itself raised about $90,000, putting the group above its goal of $350,000 total.

All of the money raised goes to St. Joseph's Center, which is dedicated to family and adoption services, outpatient therapy, and extensive residential and community-based programs for children and adults diagnosed with intellectual disabilities.

Noreen and Jack Schofield of Scranton, who have been going to the festival on and off for the past 34 years, were back for their favorite fair foods and to find new reading material at the book tent.

It's an opportunity to see people they know, enjoy an evening of food and fun, as well as support a respected community establishment.

"It's a great cause; they do wonderful things," Mrs. Schofield said.

Angela Zanghi watched her daughter Maria perform show tunes with Gallucci Music School, then the two wandered around checking out the games of chance and the crafts.

She comes to support both the center and the children.

"It's big in the community - huge for the people in the area to come to," Ms. Zanghi said.

Even if the rain means smaller fundraising numbers, Sister Jacquinot said the public and the volunteers proved their dedication to the message and services of St. Joseph's Center.

"When you face challenges, at St. Joe's, we kind of measure success in effort. ... Our effort was 100 percent," she said.

Contact the writer: ksullivan@timesshamrock.com, @ksullivanTT on Twitter

Former prisoner Eugene McGuire shares thoughts on his life's transformation

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CLARKS GREEN - Mary Yuhas stood by her brother, Eugene McGuire, for the 35 years he spent in prison after receiving a life sentence when he was 17.

On Sunday, Mrs. Yuhas stood by Mr. McGuire in the second pew of the Clarks Green Assembly of God as he spoke about his time in prison, his release and how his life was transformed by both experiences.

"It's still surreal that he's even out and free," Mrs. Yuhas said, brushing away tears. "I'm so proud that he kept himself so strong. If he could go through what he went through and still have faith, that says it all."

On Sunday, Mr. McGuire, 52, spoke to those assembled about finding faith while imprisoned, a message he hopes will encourage others.

"I feel this is what the Lord called me to do," he said. "It brings hope to people. That is worth everything."

Mr. McGuire was sentenced to life for second-degree murder after a plan to rob the Marine Room tavern at Lake Winola on June 17, 1977, ended with his cousin, Robert Lobman, 24 at the time, of New Jersey, murdering the bartender and owner, Isabelle Nagy.

A 2010 Supreme Court ruling that said a juvenile offender could not be sentenced to life in prison without parole for a nonhomicide crime set him free. In April, after 34 years, nine months and 15 days, Mr. McGuire's sentence was vacated.

As he shared the circumstances that sent him to jail, he described a feeling of disbelief. "How does a kid get into this situation?" he recalled asking himself. "I still didn't understand the consequences of my actions and behavior."

Once in jail, he said, it was a fight for survival until a prison ministry changed his path. It was his faith that caused him to get away from drugs and other negative affiliations in prison and, instead, to begin a fellowship with other prisoners who shared his beliefs.

"I've known bondage through sin, and I've known bondage through prison," Mr. McGuire said, adding that he now represents other prisoners who have experienced a similar transformation. "I feel like such an ambassador."

Since his release, he has begun sharing his story and his faith with others in Texas, where he now resides. He has also begun acclimating to life outside prison.

"I got my driver's license three weeks ago," Mr. McGuire said, proudly removing it from his wallet.

His message of inspiration brought tears to many sitting in the pews, including assembly secretary Louise Cator, 62.

"His words, even though they weren't highly charismatic or boisterous, they were powerful because of the truth that's in them," she said. "Gene is the real thing."

Contact the writer: rbrown@timesshamrock.com, @rbrownTT on Twitter

Regional Briefs 8/4/2012

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REGIONAL BRIEFS

Woman skips out, gets more time

SCRANTON - A Wilkes-Barre woman will spend another five months in federal prison for failing to show up at a halfway house in Scranton to finish a six-month sentence on a past drug trafficking offense.

Senior U.S. District Judge James M. Munley sentenced Mia Robichaux, 27, on Friday after she pleaded guilty to escaping federal custody.

Ms. Robichaux admitted she deliberately failed to appear at a halfway house in the city after she was transferred there from a federal prison in West Virginia, U.S. Attorney Peter J. Smith said Friday.

She now has to serve the remaining six months of her original sentence, and the added five months in federal prison, Mr. Smith said.

Man accused of assaulting girl

MONTROSE - A Montrose man is facing charges relating to the alleged sexual assault of a 9-year-old girl, police said.

Dean Bollinger, 83, was charged with involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and aggravated assault in connection with the July 26 incident.

According to the affidavit, Mr. Bollinger admitted to police that he had kissed the child "all over" and that he would do more with the girl when she was older.

The victim reported that Mr. Bollinger had assaulted her up to 10 times prior to the July 26 incident. The Times-Tribune does not identify victims of sexual assault.

A preliminary hearing is set for Aug. 13. Mr. Bollinger is being held on $100,000 bail.

Rabid beaver bites Water Gap visitor

BUSHKILL - A rabid beaver bit a Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area visitor swimming in the Delaware River on Thursday afternoon.

After the attack, which occurred just south of Eshback Access, the beaver tested positive for rabies, according to a release sent by officials at the recreation area.

It is not known whether other animals at the park are infected with rabies.

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