WILKES-BARRE — Pepperjam, the internet marketing business formerly known as eBay Enterprise Marketing Solutions, will add 50 to 75 jobs over the next 18 months, the company’s Chief Executive Officer Michael Jones said Monday.

The company, headquartered in the Innovation Center in downtown Wilkes-Barre, is looking to fill job openings that pay an average salary of $60,000 a year and run the gamut from technology positions, engineers, coders and creative people, to account managers, sales, administrative and service-related positions, Mr. Jones said.

Pepperjam now employs 120 people in Wilkes-Barre and a total of about 300 at its 10 offices around the world, he said.

In addition to Wilkes-Barre, Pepperjam has locations in King of Prussia, New York City, Arizona and California as

well as Canada, London and Sydney, Australia.

Pepperjam has expanded in Wilkes-Barre from the third floor of the Innovation Center to the second floor, where technology teams moved.

Its expansion and retention of jobs is part of the “Innovation Squared” project, which Gov. Tom Wolf announced Friday will receive $2 million in state funds from the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program.

Mr. Jones said the $2 million investment will help make downtown Wilkes-Barre the place to stay, grow and thrive not just for Pepperjam, but for other companies as well. He expects more businesses will take notice of what downtown Wilkes-Barre’s potential is.

The “Innovation Squared” project is an initiative aimed at creating an innovation district in downtown Wilkes-Barre

and transforming it into a

technology hub.

In April, Pepperjam went back to its original name under which entrepreneur Kris Jones started it in 1999 as a gourmet food company while he was a graduate student at Villanova University. He sold products based on his late grandmother’s recipe and it later became an internet marketing agency.

It quickly grew into one of the largest affiliate networks and performance marketing agencies. The company was sold to GSI Commerce in 2009 and eBay acquired it in 2011 for $2.4 billion.

Contact the writer:

dallabaugh@citizensvoice.com

An Olyphant woman faces felony charges for stealing nearly $11,000 worth of her mother’s jewelry and selling them to support an addiction, Jermyn police said.

Patti Jo Mussari, 39, 135 Susquehanna Ave., is charged with burglary, criminal trespass, theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property.

Ms. Mussari’s mother, Patricia Mussari, reported the burglary at her Jefferson Avenue home on June 20. Police checked an online precious metals database and found 46 sales under Patti Jo Mussari’s name, of which 21 items were identified as Patricia Mussari’s, police said.

Patti Jo Mussari admitted to the burglary, police said.

Magisterial District Judge Sean P. McGraw set bail at $10,000 and scheduled a preliminary hearing Monday.

— JOSEPH KOHUT

Students could suffer severe injuries — or even die — if the Scranton School District continues to provide inadequate nursing services, parents of Catholic school students claim.

The state requires public schools to provide medical services to private schools, but a court case now questions how much is legally necessary.

The lawsuit filed by parents whose children attend All Saints Academy in West Scranton and have health issues, including diabetes that requires insulin injections, asthma, a peanut allergy, migraine headaches and a history of strokes, calls for the district to staff the school with a nurse. The three children are not named in the lawsuit. A school nurse is present in the school only about 10 percent of time, according to the plaintiffs.

In a letter offered as evidence, district solicitor John Minora writes that because of budget constraints, the district is unable to offer services of a school nurse beyond height, weight, vision and hearing checks.

State law requires that public schools provide nursing services to private school students, but the law does not specify how much time a nurse must be present in the building. Since the beginning of the 2014-15 school year, the plaintiffs have requested the district provide the same nursing services it would offer to its own students. The Pennsylvania Department of Health provides reimbursement to the district for the total number of children served.

“Neither the statute nor regulation distinguishes a difference in level of service to public vs. non-public schools,” court paperwork states. “It can be argued that there should be no difference, as ‘all children’ are to be served.”

The latest brief, filed Monday by the school district, claims the services demanded by the plaintiffs are not required under the public school code. The district also states that the families can go through steps to authorize another school employee to administer medication to the diabetic student or to the student with a severe peanut allergy.

In the past, school nurses in Scranton have said they needed more help and worried about private school students who have health issues, including diabetes.

“They don’t just want to give the insulin and then leave right away,” said Rosemary Boland, president of the Scranton Federation of Teachers, which represents the nurses. “They have to wait to see if there’s a problem.”

Contact the writer: shofius@timesshamrock.com, @hofiushallTT on Twitter

Two men set upon another man early Sunday morning and stabbed him twice in the back, Scranton police said Capt. Dennis Lukasewicz said.

Joshua Ortiz, 22, told officers he reached the Turkey Hill on Providence Road at about 4 a.m. and was “jumped” by two people, Capt. Lukasewicz said.

Police were not able to interview him for long. Medical personnel took him to an area hospital for surgery. His condition Monday was not known.

Anyone with information can contact the city detective bureau at 570-348-4139 or leave an anonymous tip using the TipSoft program at scrantonpa.gov/scrantonpd.

— JOSEPH KOHUT

SCRANTON

City man charged with assault

A Scranton resident faces charges after a domestic incident on Sunday morning.

Fabian Narvaez, 19, 1630 S. Irving Ave. , is charged with three counts of simple assault, harassment and criminal mischief after city police responded to that address for a man damaging a vehicle outside. Mr. Narvaez is accused of attempting to assault his mother and attacking his father and girlfriend before going outside and smashing the car with a sledgehammer and floor jack, according to court documents.

Mr. Narvaez is held in Lackawanna County Prison in lieu of $20,000 bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Oct. 24.

— CLAYTON OVER

Cooper’s Seafood has announced it will close as a restaurant and open as a catering and banquet facility. A press release from the restaurant says it will serve its last meal as a restaurant on Sunday before transforming into its new business.

Co-owner Paul Cooper could not be immediately reached for comment Monday night.

The waterfront location on Kennedy Boulevard opened in Pittston in 1992.

The press release says the location will now host corporate breakfasts and lunches, bereavement gatherings, private parties, family celebrations and weddings.

The restaurant had been on the market for $1,475,000. The Coopers also operate a seafood restaurant in Scranton that co-owner Jack Cooper said they are not selling.

— STAFF REPORT

Attorneys for the teens accused of homicide in the death of a Scranton police officer are asking the judge to remove herself from the upcoming trial.

Scranton Patrolman John Wilding died in July 2015 from head injuries he suffered while pursuing three teen robbery suspects.

Prosecutors have charged the 18-year-old defendants, Nasiir Jones, Tanner Curtis and Isiah Edwards, with second-degree homicide, defined in Pennsylvania as committed when a death occurs during a felony.

On Friday, Mr. Jones’ attorney, Chris Osborne Sr., filed a motion asking Lackawanna County Judge Margaret Bisignani Moyle to recuse herself from the case.

In March, the judge made the unusual move of overseeing the preliminary hearing in the case. In criminal cases, a lower-level magisterial district judge will usually rule whether enough evidence exists in the preliminary hearing to allow it to move on to the higher-level court. In that hearing, Judge Moyle ruled that prosecutors had met their burden of evidence to move the case forward.

Later that month, she oversaw a hearing on whether the teens, who were 17 at the time of their arrests and initially charged as adults, should be tried as juveniles. She denied that request and set a trial date for Feb. 27.

“She’s handling everything. I’ve never seen it in my 20 years” practicing law, said Jim Elliot, who along with attorney Berard Brown is representing Mr. Curtis. “Who do we turn to to determine, at the preliminary hearing, whether there were errors there?”

Mr. Elliot said his legal team would likely join Mr. Osborne’s motion, or file their own. Mr. Edwards’ attorney, Robert Trichilo, said he is reviewing the situation but will likely also join.

Once the case comes to their desk, county judges can review the decisions of the magisterial district judges from the preliminary hearing and overrule them if they deem something was improper.

In March, Judge Moyle rejected an oral motion from the attorneys to recuse herself from the preliminary hearing, citing state law granting county judges the power of magisterial district judges.

In his motion, Mr. Osborne noted that, in a recent, similar case, Lackawanna County Judge Andy Jarbola had presided over a status conference for a juvenile accused of murder, Cathleen Boyer, then sent it back to a magisterial district judge for the preliminary hearing.

Mr. Osborne also pointed to precedent that judges should recuse themselves if their ability to preside impartially is compromised.

In overseeing the preliminary hearing, Mr. Osborne argued Judge Moyle heard “highly prejudicial” testimony that “could potentially be inadmissible at trial” — including the fact that police had interviewed his client, a minor at the time, without a parent or guardian in the room.

Because the stakes are so high — the teens face a maximum of life in prison — and no legal precedent matching the facts of this case exists, the judge “should err on the side of caution and recuse herself” from the trial, Mr. Osborne wrote.

The judge will rule on the motion at a future date.

Contact the writer:

pcameron@timesshamrock.com, @pcameronTT on Twitter

SCRANTON — Two men sprung from the woods Saturday night and robbed a woman, Scranton police said.

The 30-year-old woman walked along West Parker Street not far from Spring Lane at about 11 p.m. and two men came out of a wooded area and punched her, Capt. Dennis Lukasewicz said.

They exchanged no words. They just hit her.

They took her money and cigarettes before fleeing. Detailed descriptions of the men were not available.

Anyone with information can call 570-348-4139 or leave an anonymous tip using the TipSoft program at scrantonpa.gov/scrantonpd.

—JOSEPH KOHUT

A group of men punched a Wilkes-Barre man and stole about $100 from him Saturday night, Scranton police said.

The 24-year-old was in the midst of traveling from Wilkes-Barre to Dickson City when he pulled over on Mulberry Street shortly before 11 p.m., Capt. Dennis Lukasewicz said.

While counting his money, a group of three men approached the man’s vehicle, knocked on his passenger window, then opened his driver door and assaulted him, Capt. Lukasewicz said.

Detailed descriptions of the three assailants were not available.

City detectives are investigating.

— JOSEPH KOHUT

Archbald

Pasta dinner: Archbald Notre Dame Club pasta dinner in memory of Pat Mullen, Saturday, 4-8 p.m., Kenny’s Pub, 153 Spruce St.; homemade pasta, meatballs, salad, dessert, $10; call Kenny’s Pub, 570-876-4204, benefits many youth/community activities and groups.

Carbondale

Musical event: Chamber Gallery presenting “An Intimate Evening with Judy James and Frank Santoro,” Saturday, 7-9 p.m., Greater Carbondale Chamber of Commerce building, 27 N. Church St., $10, refreshments; checks payable to Chamber Gallery Benefit, with SASE to Chamber Gallery, 27 N. Main St., Carbondale, PA 18407; 570-282-1690, 570-282 1978 or 570-282-3936, leave name, phone number, number of tickets; visit the Chamber Gallery Facebook page.

Clarks Summit

Beef dinner: Clarks Summit Auxiliary/Fire Company roast beef dinner, Saturday, 4-7 p.m., 321 Bedford St., takeouts available, $12/adults advance, $13/door, $6/4-12, free/3 and under, from firefighters or auxiliary members or at Ayers Country Market, Newton-Ransom Boulevard.

Dickson City

Halloween bingo: Visitation of the Blessed Mary Church Halloween bingo, Oct. 31, doors open 4:30 p.m., parish center, Dundaff Street; admission gifts, cider, doughnuts, early bird, 6:40, bingo, 7 p.m.; 570-489-2091.

Dunmore

Halloween event: Dunmore High School Crimson Company’s Halloween Spooktacular Saturday, 10 a.m.-noon, high school, West Warren Street; a continental breakfast, Halloween characters, games, crafts, face painting, tattoos, Halloween dance activity, prizes, treat bags, raffles, complimentary photo by Rich Banick Photography, costumes suggested; $10.

Elmhurst

Soup/sandwich: Elmhurst Presbyterian Church deacons, soup and sandwich luncheon, Oct. 30 after 11 a.m. service.

Luncheon/cards: Women of Elmhurst Country Club luncheon/card party Oct. 28, noon, club; reservations Barbara Whitford, 570-842-8841.

Green Ridge

Sportsmen meet: Green Ridge Sportsmen’s Club meeting Friday, 7 p.m., clubhouse, East Lemon.

Honesdale

Bluegrass Jam: Cooperage, Acoustic Bluegrass Jam, Wednesday, 7-9 p.m., 1030 Main St., led by Buckshot Jenkins and Ron Penska, donations accepted.

Jessup

Rigatoni dinner: Queen of Angels Parish rigatoni and meatball dinner, Oct. 29, 3:30-5:30 p.m., takeout only, Oct. 30, eat-in noon-2 p.m., takeout, noon-3, Madonna Hall, 607 Church St.; rigatoni, meatballs, roll, salad, dessert. Viva Vino/gift card raffle tickets 3/$1, dinner tickets, $10/adults, $5/children under 12, 570-489-2252.

Lackawanna County

“Fiddler” presentation: Temple Hesed 50th anniversary of “Fid­dler on the Roof Miracle of Miracles,” presentation, Nov. 13, 2 p.m., featuring Ellen Katz, entertainer, teacher, storyteller; Power Point/video presentation of the show’s evolution from page-to-stage and script-to-screen; followed by a special Oneg, featuring scones, crumpets, finger sandwiches, pastries, assortment of teas (includ­ing Chai), $18/Oneg; payable to Temple Hesed, 1 Knox Road, Scranton, PA 18505, write “Fid­dler” in check memo, paid reservation deadline, Nov. 4; Mic­hael Krakow, 570-698-9815, or Temple Hesed, 570-344-7201.

Potluck/speaker: Genealogical Research Society of Northeastern Pennsylvania potluck dinner/speaker, Wednesday, 6 p.m., bring dish to share; 7, Dr. Robert Powell on the Gravity Railroad; 1100 Main St., Peckville; reservations recommended, 570-383-7661.

Auxiliary meeting: Scranton/Dunmore Fraternal Order of Police Auxiliary, E.B. Jermyn 2, meeting, Monday, 6 p.m., Alfredo’s, South Side Shopping Plaza, Scranton.

Group forming: Support group for caregivers forming, second Wednesdays, 6-8 p.m., Jewish Community Center, Linde Room, 601 Jefferson Ave., Scranton, Jo Marturano at 570-335-6984.

Pumpkin contest: Lackawanna Historical Society create a Pumpkin Pa Looza!, Oct. 29, 10 a.m.-noon, Steamtown National Historical Site, bring decorated pumpkins to site for weekend display honoring National Park Service 100th anniversary and Steamtown’s 30th; prizes awarded at 6 p.m.

Mayfield

Drawing/dinner: St. John’s Russian Orthodox Cathedral final 300 Club drawing/dinner, Nov. 8, 6 p.m., church center, 701 Hill St., guests welcome; to sign up: send check and membership information (name and address, how many clubs, etc.) to St. John’s 300 Club, St. John’s Rectory, 706 Hill St., Mayfield, PA 18433-2015, club cards mailed, $25/six-month membership, drawings held weekly; 570-876-0730 or 570-254-6882.

Midvalley

Book sale: Valley Community Library annual fall book sale Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m., library, 739 River St., Peckville, books, puzzles, DVDs, benefits the library, 570-489-1765.

Cemetery association: Italian Congregation of St. Francis d’Assisi Cemetery Association meeting Thursday, 6 p.m., Eynon VFW hall.

Pasta dinner: Nadine Cenci Marchegiani Foundation pasta dinner, Oct. 29, 5-8 p.m., Café Soriano, 523 Main St. Peckville; takeouts available, basket raffles; dinners/$10, porketta sandwiches/$3.50; dinner reservations, 570-383-5425; tickets, Ken 570-383-0783, 570-499-1794; Kim, 570-430-3850.

Regional

Vets blankets: Blankets for Vets meeting Monday, noon-2 p.m., Shopa-Davey VFW, 123 Electric St., Peckville; crocheters, knitters, quilters; 570-587-5087, blanketsforvets@gmail.com.

Scranton

Fun day: Greater Scranton Jaycees Trunk or Treat and Family Fun Day, Saturday, noon-4 p.m., Nay Aug Park, Scranton, candy, games and crafts for children, Scranton Fire Department smoke house, Lackawanna County sheriff’s office doing child fingerprints; visit the Jaycees on Facebook and Twitter.

Pirohi sale: St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, fresh homemade pirohi sale Friday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., 505 Jefferson Ave., $7/dozen., preorders: 570-344-1522.

South Abington Twp.

Outreach visit: State Rep. Marty Flynn’s outreach assistance, Wednesday, 9 a.m.-noon, second-floor meeting room, South Abington Twp. Building, 104 Shady Lane Road, Chinchilla; 570-342-4348, information on PACE/PACENET, prescription drug coverage, unclaimed property searches, other state-related matters; 570-342-4348.

South Scranton

Venue change: South Scranton Neighborhood Association meeting venue changed to 509 Cedar Ave.; next meeting Wednesday, 6:30 p.m.

Springville

Chicken dinner: Springville United Methodist Church chicken and biscuit dinner, Thursday, 4:30 p.m., takeouts, 4; $9/adults, $5/5-8; 570-965-2332.

Waverly Twp.

Halloween party: Waverly Community House Halloween party, Oct. 29, 1-2:30 p.m., food, games, crafts, trick-or- treating in Halloween Town; children’s costume parade; refreshments for purchase; free admission, donations welcome; details, Kathy, Comm office, 570-586-8191, ext. 2, www.waverlycomm.org.

CLIPBOARD ITEMS may be emailed to yesdesk@timessham

rock.com or mailed to Clipboard, c/o the YES!Desk at 149 Penn Ave., Scranton, 18503. YES!Desk, 570-348-9121.

STROUDSBURG — After learning he was going to be arrested Monday morning, a 32-year-old man ran from the Monroe County Courthouse in Stroudsburg, hijacked a UGI truck about a block away and drove off with police in pursuit, authorities said.

Anthony J. McGuire of Scranton was later caught after he crashed a second stolen vehicle, Stroud Area Regional police said. He was charged with robbery of a motor vehicle, robbery, flight to avoid apprehension and unauthorized use of an automobile.

The wild incident began at 9:17 a.m. Monday when McGuire showed up to the courthouse on an unrelated and unidentified matter, police said. Monroe County sheriff's deputies discovered he was wanted on a Lackawanna County warrant and tried to arrest him, but he ran off.

During the foot chase, McGuire confronted two men sitting in a UGI truck at Sixth and Sarah streets, ordered them out and then pulled them out when they refused, police said. McGuire then got in the truck and fled, police said.

Police found the truck at Big Pine Park in Stroud Township. There, police discovered, McGuire took another car from someone he knew. That person did not want to press charges, police said.

McGuire later crashed the car and was arrested by Pocono Mountain Regional police. Details of the arrest were not available.

PLAINS TWP. — The “lookout” got locked up Monday.

Former Coughlin High School teacher Brian Hampel — accused of covering up a fellow teacher’s student sex scandal years ago — now faces accusations he had his own sexual relationship with a student.

In addition to “indecent contact” with a teenage girl, investigators accuse Hampel of routinely providing kegs of beer for and attending underage drinking bashes held by Coughlin students between 2003 and 2005.

Luzerne County detectives arrested Hampel late Monday afternoon and charged him with a single count of corruption of minors.

Hampel, 46, was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Joseph Spagnolo in Plains Township.

The judge ordered the former industrial arts teacher jailed in the Luzerne County Correctional Facility and set bail at $50,000 cash.

The Wilkes-Barre Area School Board fired Hampel in September, seven months after it suspended him amid investigations. Hampel, of Ross Township, started working for the district in 1998 and his annual salary was $84,001, records show.

Questions about Hampel’s possible improper behavior at Coughlin first surfaced during the student-sex trial of former administrator Stephen Stahl, a fellow industrial arts teacher who was convicted of having a sexual relationship with a minor in 2004. Prosecutors at Stahl’s trial claimed Hampel served as a “lookout” while Stahl had sex with the 16-year-old girl in a classroom during school hours. Hampel denied the accusations when he testified.

The “lookout” claims are not mentioned in arrest papers in Hampel’s current case.

Investigators say they interviewed three former Coughlin students, identified in arrest papers only as cooperating witnesses, to support the charges for alleged conduct that occurred more than a decade ago.

According to arrest papers:

• One student who graduated in 2005 said Hampel would bring kegs of beer to underage drinking parties for Coughlin students, drink with the minors, and act like “one of us.” The former student said Hampel often would kiss and fondle the girl at the parties in front of other students.

• Another former student provided the same information, saying Hampel and the girl made no attempt to hide their relationship and “it was common knowledge among Coughlin High School students.” The girl told other students that she was having sex with Hampel, the witness said.

• A third witness told investigators he/she reported the relationship to another Coughlin teacher in 2004. The teacher was not identified in arrest papers.

The student who Hampel purportedly had a relationship with is identified in arrest papers only as “Victim 1.” She was 16 or 17 at the time, investigators said.

Officials with the Wilkes-Barre Area School District declined to comment on Hampel’s arrest because he’s now a former employee.

Hampel declined to comment to reporters before and after his arraignment.

Asked at his arraignment if he was arrested before, Hampel said he was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol.

Court records show Hampel was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol four times from February 2002 through December 2004.

He entered a special probationary program for first time offenders after his first arrest. The next three arrests, which occurred within 11 months in 2004, were combined for sentencing purposes as a second offence. He was sentenced to 90 days of house arrest and lost his driver’s license for a year.

Hampel’s arrest comes less than a week after another former Coughlin teacher was arrested on similar allegations.

Last week, Robert J. Havard Jr. was arrested on corruption of minors charges for alleged sexual contact with a 16-year-old girl in 2008 at an underage drinking party. Havard, 36, a teacher who also was boys soccer coach at Coughlin since 2006, remains suspended.

bkalinowski@citizensvoice.com

570-821-2055, @cvbobkal

Vice President Joseph Biden will accept an award Friday in Scranton to honor his push for a cancer cure after campaigning for Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton in Luzerne County.

The Integrated Network Cancer Program, a collaboration of local hospitals and organizations fighting for a cure, will present the vice president with the Beau Biden Award. The award will recognize the vice president’s Cancer Moonshot Task Force, the historic effort meant to focus the nation’s resources more collaboratively on finding a cancer cure.

Beau Biden, Delaware’s former attorney general and Mr. Biden’s son, died of brain cancer in May 2015. President Barack Obama announced the cancer task force during his January State of the Union speech and appointed Mr. Biden its chairman. The task force delivered its final report Monday with recommendations on a better approach to finding a cure.

Mr. Biden is expected to stump for Mrs. Clinton in Luzerne County first at a mid-afternoon rally.

The details of that rally have not been announced.

The Integrated Network Cancer Program, which is hosting a bladder cancer symposium earlier in the day, plans a 5 p.m. reception at The Commonwealth Medical College where Mr. Biden will receive the award from U.S. Sen. Bob Casey.

Contact the writer: bkrawczeniuk@timesshamrock.com

PHILADELPHIA — Montgomery County prosecutors want a judge to send former Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen G. Kane to prison, arguing that she has shown no remorse since a jury found her guilty in August of perjury and other crimes.

In a court filing Monday they asked Montgomery County Court Judge Wendy Demchick-Alloy to impose a “significant and stiff sentence,” saying Ms. Kane’s crimes were calculated and deliberate. In a pre-sentencing investigation, they said, Ms. Kane had referred to her conviction as the result of “a 30-second decision.” But, they said, “this is simply not true.”

Ms. Kane’s attorneys, meanwhile, have requested that Ms. Kane serve her sentence under house arrest because she needs to care for her two sons.

No outside buyer bid on either of two downtown Scranton office properties in a sheriff’s sale auction today.

Instead, the bank foreclosing on the former Oppenheim property at Lackawanna and Wyoming avenues and the former Samter’s building at Lackawanna and Penn avenues acquired ownership of them through the sheriff’s sale at Lackawanna County Courthouse, and now will try to sell them directly on the open market, said the Realtor for the bank, John Cognetti of Hinerfeld Commercial Real Estate of Scranton.

“This (sheriff’s sale) was a legal hurdle, really, to clear the titles” of the two properties, Mr. Cognetti said. “Now, we’ll try to have a direct sale” from the bank to any interested buyer or buyers.

At least one potential buyer attended the sale, Jay Cooperman, of Dynamic Capital Properties in Blakely, who eyes the Samter’s building for conversion to apartments.

Mr. Cooperman did not submit a bid, however, when he heard the minimum price of $500,000 for the Samter’s building. He said he hopes the bank lowers that price.

“We’re waiting for the bank to now drop the price,” Mr. Cooperman said.

Public notices posted Sept. 7 on the Oppenheim building and published in the Sept. 23, Sept. 30 and Oct. 7 editions of The Times-Tribune set forth a sheriff’s sale of both properties for $4.06 million.

The bank, NBT Bank, earlier this month dropped the price for both properties to $3.7 million, including $3.2 million for the Oppenheim property and $500,000 for Samter’s.

During the sheriff’s sale, an attorney for the bank announced a drop in the Oppenheim price, to $2.9 million, but no one bid on that property.

NBT Bank began mortgage foreclosure proceedings on the Samter’s and Oppenheim properties earlier this year, after the Boscov-related firm that owns them, Scranton Mall Associates, defaulted on its mortgage.

It is the second foreclosure of major Boscov properties in Scranton in the past two years. A 2014 foreclosure of the former Mall at Steamtown resulted in its sale during an auction last year to a company owned by Roaring Brook Twp. real estate developer John Basalyga, who renamed the mall the Marketplace at Steamtown.

Some observers think Samter’s may attract buyers wanting to convert the vacant, five-story building into residences. Meanwhile, the four-story Oppenheim property, which contains office tenants and includes the attached eight-story Lewis & Reilly building fronting on Wyoming Avenue, may offer more commercial opportunities.

Scranton officials had hoped the sale of the buildings would spur continued revitalization of downtown near the Marketplace at Steamtown.

Check back for updates.

Contact the writer: jlockwood@timesshamrock.com, @jlockwoodTT on Twitter

STROUDSBURG — After learning he was going to be arrested Monday morning, a 32-year-old Scranton man ran from the Monroe County Courthouse in Stroudsburg, hijacked a UGI truck about a block away and drove off with police in pursuit, authorities said.

Anthony J. McGuire was later caught after he crashed a second stolen vehicle, Stroud Area Regional police said. He was charged with robbery of a motor vehicle, robbery, flight to avoid apprehension

The wild incident began at 9:17 a.m. Monday when Mr. McGuire showed up to the courthouse on an unrelated and unidentified matter, police said. Monroe County sheriff’s deputies discovered he was wanted on a Lackawanna County warrant and tried to arrest him, but he ran off.

During the foot chase, Mr. McGuire confronted two men sitting in a UGI truck at Sixth and Sarah streets, ordered them out and then pulled them out when they refused, police said. Mr. McGuire then got in the truck and fled, police said.

Police found the truck at Big Pine Park in Stroud Twp. There, police discovered, Mr. McGuire took another car from someone he knew. That person did not want to press charges, police said.

Mr. McGuire later crashed the car and was arrested by Pocono Mountain Regional police. Details of the arrest were not available.

One man is dead and another injured after a hit-and-run crash along Interstate 81 in Greenfield Twp. on Tuesday afternoon.

State police are searching for the driver of a large pickup who fled the scene after striking the New York men at mile marker 204.7 in the southbound lane of the interstate in Greenfield Twp.

The pair stood nearby as John Sauta, 25, of Bridgeport, New York, changed the tire of the vehicle they were in when the pickup or the car carrier it pulled hit the men and the disabled vehicle at about 12:15 p.m.

Both men were taken to the hospital. John Fiore, 57, of Clay, New York, died Tuesday night. State police did not release the name or condition of the other

victim.

A preliminary description of the pickup is that it was possibly white and pulled a red trailer carrying two to four cars, state police said. The truck or trailer may have damage to its right side, as well as green and white paint markings from the vehicle it hit.

Anyone who may have seen or has information about the crash or pickup is asked to call state police at 570-963-3156.

Contact the writers:

cover@timesshamrock.com,

@ClaytonOver on Twitter and pcameron@timesshamrock.com, @pcameronTT on Twitter

MARRIAGE LICENSES

■ Rodney James D’Agostino and Kayla Lyn Sherman, both of Scranton.

■ Jennifer Elizabeth Vitalec and Michael George Hanis IV, both of Dunmore.

■ Stacey Angie Brunson, Scranton, and Marlon Nigel Small, Jersey City, N.J.

PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS

■ STR Properties LLC, to Skan Realty LLC; a property at 307 Putnam St., Scranton, for $68,200.

■ Marjorie L. King, Dalton, to Michael J. Stuenzi, Dalton; a property at 479 N. Turnpike Road, Dalton, for $50,000.

■ U.S. Bank Trust National Association, not in its individual capacity by solely as Delaware trustee, and U.S. Bank National Association, not in its individual capacity but solely as co-trustee, to Mary Frances and William John DeFalco, both of Bensalem; a property at 136 River Road, Thornhurst, for $66,500.

■ Ryan Romanaskas, Scranton, to Allyson Slavinski and John W. Purcell Jr., both of Scranton; a property at Pocono Highway, Covington Twp., for $197,000.

■ Jeffrey M. and Amanda Crambo, both of Throop, to Amy L. Doughty, Clarks Summit; a property at 11 Wanda St., Throop, for $163,000.

■ NRZ Reo Inventory Corp., New York, N.Y., to James L. and Christine L. Learn, both of Thornhurst; a property at 233A Pine Grove Road, Thornhurst, for $34,900.

■ Matthew J. Pietryka Jr., Old Forge, to Jamie Louis Granko, Scranton; a property at 115 Apache Drive, Old Forge, for $176,804.

■ Raymond V. and Elena Fauerbach, both of Archbald, to Christopher and Stephanie Golden, both of Scranton; a property in Archbald, for $162,500.

■ Edward J. Mathewson Jr., executor of the estate of Edward J. Mathewson, to Bubby F. and Karen M. Day, both of Dunmore; a property at 1733 Monroe Ave., Dunmore, for $98,000.

■ Barrie Saltzman and Michael Feigenbaum, to Dominick Lovallo, Dunmore; a property at 833 835 Throop St., Dunmore, for $83,400.

■ Steven and Helen Malyshko, both of Taylor, to George M. Aulisio Jr. and Cheri Ann Lewis; a property at 445 N. Main St., Taylor, for $156,000.

■ Charles J. and Elzbieta Keller, both of Moosic, to Fred J. Jr. and Priscilla M. Chamberlain, both of Moosic; a property at Lawrence Street, Moosic, for $217,400.

■ Linda Lockhart, now by marriage Linda Lockhart Gonos, Mountaintop, to Jane Marie Tyk, Greer, S.C.; a property at 256 E. Morton St., Old Forge, for $137,500.

■ Craig Rutledge, Wilkes-Barre, to Ryan Ermel, Duryea; a property at 116 Sebring Drive, Dickson City, for $110,000.

■ Keith J. and Kristan M. Glynn, to Sheriann and Hugh Connelly; a property at 125 Foster St., Old Forge, for $182,500.

■ Judith and David A. Laird, and Anne E. Laird aka Anna E. Laird, Newcastle, Del.; and Anna M. Laird, executrix of the estate of Thomas J. Laird, to Tomasz and Stanislawa Krakowka, both of New Jersey; a property at Woodlawn Street, Scranton, for $60,000.

■ Paul H. Alex, administrator C.T.A. of the estate of Venice A. Kinsler, to Dana DiRaimondo, Brooklyn, N.Y.; a property at 62 Theta Drive, Clifton Twp., for $275,000.

DIVORCES SOUGHT

■ Michael Bomba, Jermyn, v. Gina Bomba, Jermyn; married Aug. 7, 1989; Frank J. Ruggiero, attorney.

■ Karen E. Woodruff, Clarks Summit, v. John C. Mirabelli, Clarks Summit; married April 19, 2013 in Niagara Falls, N.Y.; pro se.

ESTATES FILED

■ Anne Penetar, 2216 Jefferson Ave., Dunmore, letters testamentary to Daniel L. Penetar Jr., 2138 N. Washington Ave., Scranton.

■ Gene Comonie, 525 Park St., Olyphant, letters of administration to Gina Comonie, same address.

■ Melinda A. Leslie, 121 Mercuri Lane, Moscow, letters testamentary to Julie A. Tonetti, same address.

FEDERAL TAX LIENS

■ Mary Ann Richardson, 16 William St., Taylor; $22,349.91.

■ Paul J. Abdalla Jr., 1204 Tennyson Close, Moosic; $1,220,491.98.

■ Summa & Iezzi Inc., Keystone Industrial Park, Scranton; $256,484.12.

■ Finale LLC, 146 S. Main Ave., Scranton; $4,192.81.

BENCH WARRANTS

The following warrants have been issued by Judge Julia Munley for failure to appear for child support contempt hearings:

■ Vincent Dantzler, 165 N. Sherman St., Apt. 211, Wilkes-Barre; $1,321.64.

■ Pablo Colon, 32 Pittston Ave., Apt. 1A, Scranton; $1,421.38.

■ Edward Dunn, 905 S. Main Ave., Scranton; $6,346.22.

■ Wesley Dutter, 43 St. Johns St., Plains; $600.74.

■ Aumont Edwards Jr., 1511 W. Locust St., Scranton; $1,331.03.

■ Michael Finn, 903 Price St., Floor 2, Scranton; $2,828.12.

■ Clinton Folkes Jr., 114 S. Main St., Scranton; $1,180.07.

Anyone with any information on the above is asked to call the child support hotline at 570-963-6721, ext. 8160.

ONLINE: thetimes-tribune.com/courts

A jury needed just over an hour Tuesday to find Khalil “Slim” Johnson guilty of four out of five crimes related to heroin dealing, District Attorney Shane Scanlon said.

After the two-day trial, the jury convicted the 32-year-old Scranton man of two felonies and two misdemeanors, but acquitted him of giving false identification to police, a third-degree misdemeanor.

Detectives from the district attorney’s office arrested Mr. Johnson in March after a month-long investigation, Mr. Scanlon said.

Sentencing will likely take place within 90 days.

— PETER CAMERON

Republican state treasurer candidate Otto Voit believes solving the crisis in the state’s two major pension systems is essential because that threatens local school districts and taxpayers.

Mr. Voit, a former chief financial officer for several companies and a school director in Berks County, told the Times-Tribune editorial board Tuesday the crisis is far worse than estimated so far because actuarial studies assume “unrealistic” rates of return on pension investments. The deficit in the pensions of teachers and state employees could total as high as $125 billion, he said.

Without a solution, school districts will keep contributing higher amounts each year for pensions.

“They will continue to rise, property taxes will continue to rise and school districts, a lot of them right now, don’t have the capacity to tax,” Mr. Voit said.

Mr. Voit faces Democrat Joseph Torsella, Libertarian James Babb and Green Party candidate Kristin Combs in the Nov. 8 election. The job pays $158,764 this year. Elected treasurers can serve up to two four-year terms.

Mr. Voit declined to commit to a specific pension solution but said he’s neither ruling in, nor ruling out any specific idea, including long-term borrowing to solve the deficits.

He would only favor long-term borrowing if it means a permanent solution to debt crisis, he said. He acknowledged the crisis will only get solved with the cooperation of Republican and Democratic legislators, he said.

“I’d love to stand on a mountaintop and say, ‘Ok, here’s how you solve it,’ ” Mr. Voit said. “But people aren’t going to come together because there’s already a predisposed outcome. I don’t want to be political waffling here. I want to create the leadership and the environment where we actually solve it as opposed to attacking each other.”

Mr. Voit said he also wants to:

■ Invest most state money in stock-exchange traded funds, whose growth and declines parallel those of stock exchanges. Their growth has averaged about 9 percent since 1991, he said.

■ Allow state-based firms to manage state funds with at least 20 percent minority-owned management companies.

■ Create a website that contains all the state’s budgetary information, contracts, spending and revenues in one place and includes whether a company contributed to a political candidate.

■ Develop programs that teach people how to handle their finances.

■ Develop an internship program within the office that includes at least one veteran, one state college student and one high school student.

Mr. Voit said he would not seek higher office while serving as treasurer.

Contact the writer:

bkrawczeniuk@timesshamrock.com