SCRANTON — The former owners of Tropical Express, a money transmitter service in Stroudsburg, will spend time in federal prison.

German Ossa-Rocha, 50, and Mirela Desouza, 46, faced charges stemming from a drug trafficking investigation. Authorities determined the pair transmitted about $340,000 in proceeds from drug sales to the Dominican Republic after laundering the money between January 2008 and December 2011, according to prosecutors. U.S. District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani sentenced Mr. Ossa-Rocha to 27 months in prison and Ms. Desouza to 18 months in prison earlier this week. Both must also serve two years of supervised release afterward.

— CLAYTON OVER

In a windbreaker with a camera around his neck, Mikah Meyer looks like many of the 100,000 people who visit Steamtown National Historic Site annually.

However, the 30-year-old Lincoln, Nebraska, native is undertaking an extraordinary journey, one no one ever completed. He is at the beginning of a three-year trek to visit all 413 national park units in one continuous trip.

He started in June in the city that was his home at the time, Washington D.C. He swung through New England, the Upper Midwest and then to Northeast Pennsylvania this week, stopping at Steamtown, the historic site commemorating the era of steam locomotives.

“I don’t know of any place restoring historic locomotives like Steamtown is,” he said snapping pictures of the rolling stock and engines on display. “My 3-year-old nephew will lose it when he sees these. For a train person, this has got to be Disney World.”

Mr. Meyer’s journey is a spiritual mission of sorts. He wants to reconnect with his late father, a Lutheran minister who was stricken with cancer and died when Mr. Meyer was 19, unable to fulfill his dream of taking the family on national park excursions. He also wants to show other gay men that they can be outdoorsy and encourage all young people to explore the United States and its national park system.

“My generation thinks like ‘Eat, Pray, Love,’ they have to go to Italy or Bali to have a transformative experience,” he said. “You can get that here. We have an amazing country and the national park system offers it.”

Steamtown marked his 69th national park site visit and he has 344 more to go. The national park system isn’t just scenic parks like Yellowstone, Grand Canyon and Acadia in Maine. It includes 129 historical sites, 25 battlefields and military sites, 19 nature preserves, 112 memorials and monuments, 15 national rivers, 10 national seashores and more.

According to the National Park Travelers Club, 43 people visited every national park as of late August. However, as President Barack Obama adds new national park sites — such as the recently added Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument in Maine and the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument in Atlantic coastal waters — that number goes back to zero.

“That has to stop,” Mr. Meyer said of the new additions, only partially in jest because new parks add to his itinerary.

Earlier this year, Mr. Meyer quit his job as a residential coordinator at a boarding school, sold most of what he owned, got help converting a van into something he could live in, and headed out. He chronicles his journey in his blog www.tbcmikah.com, and for Voice of America, through which he hopes to promote foreign tourism to the United States.

He calls his effort, “Travel Beyond Convention,” upturning the pattern in the United States of school, work, retirement, then travel. His father never got the opportunity, and Mr. Meyer feared he may not, either. Some people don’t understand his motives.

“I get hate mail from people who see a young, white guy and call me a spoiled brat or privileged trust-fund baby,” he said.

This hasn’t been nearly that easy for the son of a pastor. He lived hand-to-mouth for five years to save for this national park excursion. Now, he continues to live on the cheap, sleeping and living out of a van. Don’t ask him about diners and regional roadside cuisine. Aside from occasional restaurant stops, he lives off sandwiches from his solar-powered refrigerator.

He raises some money from online contributions and got some small endorsement deals. However, his effort is expensive. He expects to run through $10,000 a year for gas. He hopes to get an airline partner to help him get to national park units in Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Hawaii and Guam.

For now, he hopes to avoid being forced into a hiatus.

He also is trying to change the way people think about gay people. In D.C., he founded a LGBTQ Christian group that today has more than 300 members.

“Growing up in Nebraska, I had no gay role models,” he said. “I thought being gay meant wearing Speedos on a parade float. Maybe a kid out there will see a gay man doing something positive and patriotic.”

He majored in classical voice in school. He’s not a history geek or a battle buff. While he loves the outdoors, he’s not ready for an Appalachian Trail hike. He’s just an American out to appreciate, look and learn.

“The ranger tours of some of the historic sites in New England are so rich with detail, I feel like I should have history degree,” he said, admitting he’s embarrassed by what he doesn’t know. “I’m getting a sense of how America got to where it is today.”

Steamtown frequently hosts visitors on the quest to visit every National Park unit, said Bill Nalevanko, spokesman for the Steamtown National Historic Site.

“Mikah hits the nail on the head when he talks about the diversity offered by the national park system,” said Mr. Nalevanko. “That’s why our slogan for our centennial year is ‘Find Your Park’ because there is a park for everyone.”

After learning about the canal system and Roebling Aqueduct memorialized in the Upper Delaware Scenic & Recreational River the day before, Steamtown was an appropriate stop, representing the technology that replaced canals in shipping and transportation.

He’s not alone on his journey. His partner Andy Waldron has been with him for most of the trip.

Now, they are off to New York City to hit the dozen or so National Parks in that area, from the Statue of Liberty National Monument to lesser-known places like the African Burial Grounds National Monument and the new Stonewall National Monument.

Contact the writer: dfalchek@timesshamrock.com

Memorable moments

Ah Ha Moment: River Raisin National Battlefield, Monroe, Michigan; Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial, Put-In-Bay, Ohio. “You learn about the Battle of 1812 in school, but to go visit the sites gives you a deeper understanding of the event and where America came from.”

Most Surprising Park: Theodore Roosevelt National Park, Medora, North Dakota. “A glacier cut a canyon into the prairies showing how much complexity is beneath the surface.”

Most Disappointing Park: First Ladies National Historic Site, Canton, Ohio. “Dresses are the focus of the exhibit. Really? Why do we remember these women by what they wore? How often do we see suits of presidents lining glass cases?”

Most Eagerly Awaited: Grand Canyon National Park. “For as much as I want to draw attention to lesser-known parks, it is still the Grand Canyon.”

SCRANTON — The Scranton firefighters union and the fire department seek donations to fund a coat drive for kids in need.

They have partnered with Operation Warm, a nonprofit that provides new coats to children, and hope to raise $20,000, said Chuck Bartlebaugh, a firefighter and vice president of the union.

Last year, the drive distributed about 500 coats to kids, and the firefighters hope to do the same this year. They have chosen the Frances Willard Elementary School in South Scranton as the place to distribute. Nearly 500 of the 600 or so kids at the school qualify as in need, Mr. Bartlebaugh said.

To donate, go to the Scranton firefighters union website at www.scrantonfire.com or drop a check at any of the Scranton fire houses.

— PETER CAMERON

Abingtons

Spaghetti dinner: VFW Auxiliary 7069 spaghetti and meatball dinner, Saturday, 4-7 p.m., Post Home, Winola Road, Clarks Summit; includes salad, rolls, homemade desserts; benefits scholarship fund in memory of Past Commander Bob Kromko; $9/adults, $4/children; 570-586-9821.

Library events: Abington Com­munity Library’s annual fund drive kickoff, Nov. 1; drop off or mail donations to the Abington Community Library, 1200 W. Grove St., Clarks Summit, PA 18411, or online; Cocktails by the Book: A Literary Cocktail Benefit, Nov. 10, 6 p.m., Cam­elot Restaurant; portion of cocktail sales/celebrity bartender tips, benefit library; eighth annual Dorothy Boccella Holiday Marketplace, Nov. 12, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Nov. 13, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., at library, more than 30 vendors, Southwest Savory Grill Food Truck, 80-basket raffle, tickets through Nov. 13.

Archbald

Halloween march: Archbald Halloween “Spooktacular” March, Saturday, 3-5 p.m., Archbald A.C. Field, 99 Export Lane, infants through age 12 in costume, accompanied by adult; Valley View fifth-grade chorus, basket/bicycle raffle, free food, music, games, prizes, treat bags.

Forest City

School play: Forest City Regional Mask and Hammer Drama Club presents “North Woods Nonsense” Nov. 4-5, 7 p.m., Nov. 6, 3 p.m., high school auditorium; $5/adults, $3/students, senior citizens, free/children 3 and under.

Hamlin

Cookies galore: St. John’s Epis­copal Church Cookies Galore Event, Dec. 17, 9 a.m.-11 a.m., more than 50 varieties of cookies; preordering closes Dec. 2, small/$7, large/$15, fill provided container; Welsh Cookies, $6/dozen must be preordered, Sandy Toy, 570-689-2441.

Jefferson Twp.

Veterans run: Jefferson Twp. third annual Veterans Memorial 5K Walk/Run, 10K Run, Nov. 5, 9 a.m., flag-raising ceremony, 8:45; Army Rifle Squad; Jeffer­son Twp. Volunteer Fire Com­pany, 405 Cortez Road; benefit Equines for Freedom; first 250 receive long-sleeve shirt; $5 breakfast provided, fire company; updates: Facebook Veterans Memorial Walk/Run.

Jessup

Rigatoni dinner: Queen of Angels Parish rigatoni and meatball dinner, Saturday, 3:30-5:30 p.m., takeout only, Sunday, 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

Mitchell Day: John Mitchell Day Ceremony, Saturday, 11:30 a.m., Cathedral Cemetery, end of Oram Street, Scranton; Mitchell gravesite, to left of cemetery gates; awards program, wreath presentation.

Lakeland

School District

Haunted Halls: Lakeland High School National Honor Society Haunted Halls, Saturday and Sunday, 5-9 p.m., $5.

Mayfield

Halloween parade: Mayfield Lions Halloween Costume Parade, Sunday, participants (in costume) gather noon-1 p.m., Lions building, Penn Avenue/Walnut Street, door prize tickets for pumpkins available; parade, 1, ends at Community Park, costume prizes, candy bags music by the Lakeland High School Band.

Time corrected: Lackawanna County Bookmobile, Nov. 7, 1:15-1:45 p.m., Mayfield Municipal Building, 739 Penn Ave.

Montrose

Christmas chorale: Montrose Community Chorale 12th annual Christmas program, Dec. 4, 3 p.m., First Presbyterian Church. 367 Church St.; light refreshments, Missionary Room; freewill offering benefits local

charities.

Old Forge

Bake sale: Prince of Peace Parish Society pre-Thanksgiving bake sale, Nov. 19-20, before/after Masses, both worship sites; St. Mary’s, enter from Lawrence Street former school entrance; St. Lawrence’s, church vestibule.

Ransom

Pancake breakfast: Ransom Lions pancake breakfast, Nov. 6, 7 a.m.-1 p.m., Ransom Community Hall, 2379 Newton Ransom Boulevard; pancakes, sausage, eggs, juice coffee; takeouts available; adults/

$7.50, child/$3.50; at door or from Lions.

Regional

Bus trip: Marywood Life Long Learners bus trip to Mount Hope Mansion & Winery Christ­mas Show in the Mansion, Dec. 10, leaves Marywood 8 a.m.; lunch, wine tasting, Mansion visit, stop at Hershey’s Choco­late World; $99, reservations: 570-383-0544.

Scranton

Harvest luncheon: Century Club of Scranton Harvest Craft and Card Luncheon, Nov. 14, 10:30 a.m., 612 Jefferson Ave.; handcrafted articles sale, catered luncheon, cards or games follow; $20, reservations close Nov. 10 at noon, 570-342-0204.

Sale correction: St. John’s Byzantine Catholic Church, Christmas pierogi sale shortened to a Nov. 15 deadline due to overwhelming response; $8/dozen, 570-587-2738 or 570-343-8820; pickup, Dec. 12, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., 310 Broadway.

BPW auction: Scranton Busi­ness and Professional Women annual auction Nov. 16, 6 p.m., Radisson at Lackawanna Station hotel; auction, full dinner, advance ticket only, $23, call Lynn Volk, 570-575-4477.

Tunkhannock

Church program: Episcopal Appalachian Ministry presentation on evil, Sunday, 4 p.m., St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 3832 Route 6; the Rev. Dr. Pavlac of King’s College on evil in society based on evidence from theories of theodicy, history and current events; 570-878-4670.

West Scranton

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

Wyoming County

Representative visit: State Sen. Lisa Baker Field Representative Tom Yoniski constituent consultation, Tuesday, 1:30-3:30 p.m., Commissioners’ Office Confer­ence Room, Wyoming County Courthouse, 1 Courthouse Square, Tunkhannock; appointments welcome, but not necessary; www.senatorbaker.com or 570-675-3931.

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.

The former president of Moosic Borough Council is entitled to qualified immunity in a lawsuit filed in 2010 by the doctor whose company provides inmate medical care at the Lackawanna County Prison, a federal appeals court ruled.

The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Monday reversed a decision by U.S. District Judge Matthew W. Brann that allowed a First Amendment retaliation claim brought by Edward Zaloga, D.O., against Councilman Joseph Mercatili to continue.

It sent the matter back to the lower court to grant a judgment in Mr. Mercatili’s favor that will dismiss him as the final defendant in the case.

Although Dr. Zaloga still has some options, the ruling effectively ends the case from the borough’s standpoint, borough solicitor John Brazil said.

“It’s been a long time for the borough. We are glad it’s finally over,” he said.

The lawsuit that Dr. Zaloga and his company, Correctional Care Inc., filed against Moosic and several of its officials grew out of a dispute over the expansion of a Jack Williams Tire warehouse near the doctor’s home, which he opposed.

The complaint alleged that after Dr. Zaloga publicly challenged Mr. Mercatili’s re-election nomination petitions in 2009, the then-council president retaliated by urging members of the county prison board not to renew Correctional Care’s contract at the jail. The contract was ultimately renewed despite Mr. Mercatili’s alleged interference.

In his June 2015 ruling, Judge Brann dismissed the borough and other officials as defendants but let the retaliation claim with respect to the Correctional Care contract and two related conspiracy claims against Mr. Mercatili to go forward.

However, the appeals court found Mr. Mercatili is entitled to qualified immunity because his conduct, even if Dr. Zaloga’s allegations are true, did not violate clearly established law.

Citing case law, the court said that to defeat qualified immunity, the right purportedly violated must be so clearly established “that every reasonable official would have understood what he is doing violates that right.”

“We conclude that legal precedent leaves space for good faith disagreement about the constitutionality of Mercatili’s alleged actions,” the court said.

Contact the writer:

dsingleton@timesshamrock.com

Rain and an autumnal chill plagued Northeast Pennsylvania on Thursday.

A few hundredths of an inch of rain fell on Scranton while the Poconos and higher elevations awoke to sleet, snowflakes, and school delays and closures, AccuWeather senior meteorologist Paul Walker said.

The high temperature Thursday was 48 degrees. Cold temperatures are expected to hang around today with the high only reaching 49 degrees.

Saturday will feel balmy by comparison as the sun breaks through and temperatures reach 64 degrees, Mr. Walker said.

DUNMORE — Borough police wanted to ramp up bike patrols this summer as a community policing tactic but encountered a problem when they tried to dust off the nearly 15-year-old bicycles.

“With the crime going up and the officers getting older, unfortunately the bikes kind of sat dormant for years,” Capt. Richard Barth said. “When we did try to utilize them, they were shot. ... When we tried to put them back in service, they were beyond repair. The tires were dry-rotted. The brakes, chains were rusted.”

With a young group of officers enthusiastic about patrolling Dunmore on bikes, the plan got a boost Thursday when Toyota of Scranton donated to the borough three $1,500 police mountain bikes, equipped with sirens, LED lights, headlights, utility bags and helmets.

Despite the colder temperatures, Capt. Barth expects the new bicycles to be used as early as this weekend, to keep trick-or-treating children safe and prevent vandalism.

Patrolman Tom Richardson is one of a handful of officers who took the old bikes out on patrols over the summer despite their condition and saw value in it.

Residents found the officer more approachable than when he was in a police car, Patrolman Richardson said, and the officer can ride in parks and other places a car can’t go and see things he might not pick up while driving.

Capt. Barth used to ride on bike patrols about 15 years ago and made similar observations.

“(Residents) are going to be more apt to come out and actually talk with an officer when they wouldn’t normally flag you down or have something they would feel too silly calling 911 over,” the 22-year department veteran said.

He also remembered making some traffic stops and drug arrests while on bike patrols, noting people don’t always see officers coming on a bicycle.

“We wouldn’t necessarily be able to stop them on Blakely Street when they’re going 40 mph, but once they got to the red light, you could stop them — as long as you could keep up with them,” Capt. Barth said.

Four Dunmore police officers are certified for bike patrols.

The plan is to get an additional four to five officers certified and have two to three bicycles out on weekends, patrolling the business district or spots that might need some specific attention.

Contact the writer:

kwind@timesshamrock.com,

@kwindTT on Twitter

HARRISBURG — The state released updated School Performance Profile scores for 625 of 2,900 schools across the state on Thursday. Updates were required due to an inaccurate data element provided by a contractor and used for the original scores released earlier this month.

Most affected schools only had slight changes to their scores in the system that looks at achievement and growth. Student test scores did not change. Only schools where students take the Keystone Exams — end-of-course exams in algebra I, literature and biology — were affected.

The highest score in Lackawanna County now belongs to North Pocono, with a 94.8.

To view the updated scores, visit paschoolperformance.org.

— SARAH HOFIUS HALL

After Pennsylvania State Police closed a probe of Scranton’s double pension payments this week, Scranton City Council members agreed Thursday that the city now must do its own investigation.

Councilman Pat Rogan asked council to start this process by requesting from the state police any relevant information. He also suggested asking state police for an executive session briefing on their probe.

“Somebody does need to be held accountable,” Mr. Rogan said, stressing he is not blaming recipients. “I do believe it now falls upon the city of Scranton to initiate an investigation, to find out who, what, why, when and, most importantly, how, these double pensions were given out.”

On Tuesday, state police announced it closed a criminal investigation into Scranton double pension recipients after determining no charges potentially could be filed because a five-year statute of limitations expired years ago.

Other council members also expressed disappointment that the criminal investigation brought no resolution and agreed with Mr. Rogan. Council will ask state police to discuss what its investigation entailed, where it led it and who was interviewed, and “we could pick it up from there,” Mr. Rogan said.

Council President Joe Wechsler said the request should come from jointly from council, the Courtright administration and the city pension board. There has been questions on whether council actually has subpoena power and council also should find that out, he said.

A city review should be two-pronged, looking back to see what went wrong and to prevent it from happening again, Mr. Wechsler said.

Councilmen Tim Perry and Wayne Evans agreed.

Councilman Bill Gaughan was absent because his wife gave birth to their second child, a boy, on Thursday, Mr. Wechsler announced.

Also Thursday, council voted 4-0 to introduce an ordinance for a 10-year tax abatement on new construction in a redevelopment of the old Scranton Lace property. On Oct. 20, resident Joan Hodowanitz questioned whether Lace Building Affiliates developer Donald Rinaldi owed delinquent taxes on a unrelated vacant lot at Lackawanna and North Washington avenues. Council members told her Thursday they looked into the matter and learned that Mr. Rinaldi does not own the vacant lot on Lackawanna Avenue. It is owned by a family member of Mr. Rinaldi who has no involvement with Lace Building Affiliates. While some residents expressed opposition to the tax break, council enthusiastically backed it as a way to help rejuvenate the hulking Scranton Lace eyesore.

In other matters:

• Council voted 4-0 to introduce an ordinance to revamp the city’s rental registration rules. The overhaul focuses on getting more properties registered, eliminates “arbitrary” inspections and provides a family exemption, councilmen said.

• Council voted 4-0 to adopt a resolution authorizing the city to give a $130,000 loan to 16th Ward LLC for that firm’s renovation of a vacant building at 306 Penn Ave. into a bar/restaurant.

• Council received correspondence from resident Samantha Maloney renewing her request for the shutdown of an alternate leachate line in Green Ridge used by Keystone Sanitary Landfill. Ms. Maloney referenced information she received through a Right to Know Law request to Scranton Sewer Authority for monitoring records of this leachate line. She learned that the authority does not monitor the alternate leachate line.

Council will ask the sewer authority whether the line should be monitored.

“We don’t want the line used, but if it is being used, we do want it to be used properly and monitored properly,” Mr. Wechsler said.

• Council held a caucus on stormwater flooding in Keyser Valley. Saying flooding has worsened, several residents raised issues and questions about directions, capacities and maintenance of pipes and drains. Calling himself a man of science, William Buffton dryly noted that “water flows downhill” and said an engineer “was asleep at the switch.” Council told residents it will follow up with the sewer authority and city DPW.

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

MARRIAGE LICENSES

■ Alamgir Sheikh and Ayda Amjad Durrani, both of Johnson City, N.Y.

■ Selton A. Oliveira and Stephanie Silvia Santon De Sa, both of Scranton.

■ Bruce Lawrence Dunn and Shanie Davidson, both of Scranton.

■ Paul E. Yestrumskas and Marie T. Thrasher, both of Park City, Utah.

■ Scott Adam Nilsen II and Desiree N. Boylan, both of Factoryville.

PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS

■ Gloria Munley, executrix of the estate of Pauline Juris, joined by the specific devisees and/or their survivors as per paragraph second of the said will of Pauline Juris, namely Laureen Dougherty, Gloria Munley, Joyce Yashinski and Louis R. Gabello, and his son Lou M. Gabello, survivors of Diana Gabello, to Dimce Risteski, Wayne, N.J.; a property at 917 Dunmore St., Throop, for $79,000.

■ Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., S/B/M to Wachovia Bank, National Association, Freder­ick, Md., to Propst Invest­ments and Contracting LLC, Dalton; a property at 153 Sussex St., Old Forge, for $45,000.

■ James J. and Louise Frye, both of Scranton, to Kamal Ghale, Scranton; a property at 526 Campbell St., Scranton, for $134,500.

■ LSF8 Master Participation Trust, by Caliber Real Estate Services LLC, as its attorney in fact, by power of attorney, to Mary Ann Donahue, Mos­cow; a property at Madison­ville Road, Moscow, for $42,294.

DIVORCE SOUGHT

■ Amanda Sabot Newhart, Dickson City, v. Maurice Todd Newhart, Dickson City; married July 3, 2010 in Jermyn; pro se.

ESTATES FILED

■ Dena Marie Smith aka Dena M. Smith, 1004 Crown Ave., 1st Floor, Scranton, letters of administration to Mark F. Blackwell, same address.

■ David H. Novak Sr. aka David Novak, 507 McClure Ave., Old Forge, letters testamentary to David H. Novak Jr., 40 Charles River Drive, Franklin, Mass.

■ Theresa Marie Langan aka Theresa M. Langan, 807 Hampton St., Scranton, letters testamentary to Vincent F. Langan, P.O. Box 365, Sayre.

■ Catherine M. Jablonski aka Catherine Jablonski, 9 Debbie Drive, Dunmore, letters testamentary to Kerry Kearney, 255 Park Road, Aliquippa.

■ JoAnn A. Pirritano, 302 E. Drinker St., Dunmore, letters testamentary to Angela Percival Kosiur, 21 Rosary Blvd., Cheektowaga, N.Y.

■ Alfred G. Rice Jr., 110 Overlook Road, Waverly Twp., letters testamentary to Annette Rice, same address.

■ Kathryn Stocoski, 146 Sandy Beach Road, Clifton Twp., letters testamentary to Barbara Jean Zindle, 637 Clifton Beach Road, Clifton Twp.; and Rosemary Hrywnak, 37 O’Hara Road, Spring Brook Twp.

■ Josephine M. Keough aka Josephine Urbanowicz Keough, 874 Hill St., Archbald, letters testamentary to Mary Louise Lloyd, 16 Laurel St., Carbondale.

■ Tess Gruscavage, 361 Ferdinand St., Scranton, letters of administration to Anne Sample, same address.

STATE TAX LIENS

■ Brass Tacks Inc., 1106 Myers Ave., Peckville; $739.77.

■ Pantuso Motors Inc., 931 N. Washington Ave., Scran­ton; $8,342.10.

■ NEPA Cardiology Inc., 746 Jefferson Ave., Scranton; $607.28.

■ Orthodontics Unlimited Inc., 327 N. Washington Ave., Scranton; $4,056.62.

■ Keystone Truck & Trailer LLC, 4171 Quicktown Road, Madison Twp.; $1,228.21.

■ Kenneth J. Kindya and Susan M. Rutkoski, both of P.O. Box 4255, Scranton; $3,028.56.

■ Henry D. Morris, P.O. Box 536, Moscow; $19,431.47.

■ Dennis J. Mark, 1 Hendrick Lane, Carbondale; $1,108.36.

■ Mae & Flg Inc., 518 N. Main St., Old Forge; $514.70.

■ Jennifer Feldra, individually and as responsible party of Revolutionary Nurses LLC, 201 White Oak Drive, Olyphant; $6,660.15.

■ Thomas Nolan, 1303 Jeffer­son Ave., Dunmore; $9,450.30.

■ Michael and Lindsay Yetter, both of 10 Parnell St., Carbon­dale; $1,809.99.

■ Jessup Mini Mart Inc., 205 Salem Road, Archbald; $1,714.70.

■ Harry P. McGrath, 1021 Dela­ware St., Scranton; $585.63.

■ Lee Electric Supply Co. Inc., 240 Hickory St., Scranton; $588.42.

■ Main Technologies, 325 Bridge St., Old Forge; $56,070.05.

■ Sullums Bridals of Olyphant Inc., 129 Lackawanna Ave., Olyphant; $1,081.44.

■ Kikoda Inc., 500 School St., Clarks Summit; $4,131.57.

■ Gress Poultry Inc., 992 N. South Road, Scranton; $1,989.19.

■ Patrick D. and Karen A. Dolan, both of 221 Moosic St., Olyphant; $5,782.76.

■ Sosnowski & Sons Inc., 311 Bowman St., Dickson City; $801.06.

■ Double M General Contrac­tors Inc., P.O. Box 186, Waverly; $598.64.

■ Auto Glass Fitters Inc., 201 S. Blakely St., Dunmore; $922.41.

■ Paul Hrywnak, 14 O’Hara Road, Spring Brook Twp.; $14,244.65.

■ OK Services Inc., 621 S. State St., Clarks Summit; $21,255.56.

■ Vaxserve Inc., 54 Glen­maura National Blvd., Moosic; $2,310.82.

■ Kuniegel Brothers Inc., 1091 Route 502, Spring Brook Twp.; $1,827.39.

■ Kimberly S. Mangan, 1213 Marion St., Apt. 1, Dunmore; $493.24.

■ Dixon Seal Coating Inc., 310 Sussex St., Old Forge; $3,143.64.

■ E P Mancinelli & Associates, 625 E. Drinker St., Dunmore; $1,240.81.

■ Calvin Taylor Corp., 101 Pittston Ave., Suite 2, Scranton; $986.15.

■ Kevin Sebring, individually and as owner of Endless Mountain Hams LLC, 1672 Summit Lake Road, Clarks Summit; $1,220.09.

■ Arcman Corp., 807 Center St., Throop; $6,183.93.

■ Shoaib Tajak, individually and as president of Mellati LLC, 1008 Ravine St., Scranton; $788.61.

ONLINE: thetimes-tribune.com/courts

First Presbyterian honors McLaughlins

Jim and Shirley McLaughlin were honored for more than 40 years of service to the First Presbyterian Church of Clarks Summit during a reception at the Waverly Country Club. Session and congregation members gathered with Jim and Shirley and enjoyed a buffet featuring assorted finger sandwiches, ham sliced with herb rolls, fresh fruit platter, assorted cheese platter, vegetable platter and dip, and assorted cookies and beverages.

Congregating

Church members and friends attending the McLaughlin tribute included Heather and Warren Acker, Elaine Altmiller, Beverly Bright, Barbara Brown, Jean Brown, Alice and Dick Broxton, Jamie and Bill Carter, Gerry Conklin, Lorraine Daniels, Bill and Jessie Davis, Russ and Patti Delaney, Doris Dempsey, Myrna and John Diven, Janet Dobson, Lynn Evans, Grace and Bill Farrell, Leelah, William and Dylan Farrell, Joanie and Frank Garnecki, Gwynne and Stan Gilbert, Maxine Gilligan, Riccardo Girello, Don Gross, Gayle Hamilton, Meg Hatch, Alma Herron, Adrienne and Paul Horger, Sara Ann Hosier, Aggie Izolt, Victoria and Colin Jeschke, Bill Jones, Frank Jones, Betty and Don Keen, Diane and Bill Keller, Donna and Andy Kepler, Janet Loewe, Nancy London, Heidi and Greg Matthews, Phil Muntzel, Mary Ann Nichols, Nancy Owens, Mary Parry, Barbara and Jack Pittman, Bonnie Plantholt, Donna Porter, Nancy Post, Margie Reese, Denise Reinhart, Catherine Ryon, Laura Schillinger, Peter Moore, Linda Schuller, Kay Rudis, Steve Selige, Jean and Bill Siebecker, Craig Smith, Janet Stansbury, Alona Thurston, Gail Van Horn, Connie and John Weiss, Lee and Mick Wirth, Mollie Woehiling, Linda Young and members of the McLaughlin family including, Glenn and Sue, Debbie and Jay, and Donna DeMatteo.

High notes

The Northeast Regional Cancer Institute was the beneficiary of the Country Club of Scranton Women’s Golf Association annual Memorial Tournament honoring deceased members. Proceeds from the Putts for Charity event were presented to Karen M. Saunders, NRCI president, and Amanda E. Marchegiani, community relations coordinator, by Sherry Moore and Mary Sweeney, chairwomen of the Putts Committee, and OkHee Lee, chairwoman of the Golf Association. They will benefit the Cancer Institute’s Patient Navigation Program, which helps low income, un-insured and underinsured individuals who are not up to date with colon, breast and cervical cancer screenings.

A man suspected of taking part in a stabbing earlier this month now faces drug charges after the Scranton Police Special Investigations Division said he and two women were involved in selling heroin in the city Wednesday.

Gabrielle Macarski, 27, 534 Fig St.; Luvasia Collins, 23, 915 W. Elm St.; and Adam Bennett, 809 Myrtle St., 21, each face drug charges related to the sale, which happened in the 500 block of Fig Street, police said.

Officers seized 30 bags of heroin during the incident, 25 of which were discovered in Ms. Collins’ vagina during a search conducted by a female police officer, police said.

Ms. Macarski faces an additional charge of child endangerment because she brought her 2-year-old child along while she sold heroin from a vehicle, police said.

City police were already looking for Mr. Bennett. A warrant was out for his arrest stemming from a stabbing in front of the Turkey Hill Minit Market on Providence Road on Oct. 16. Mr. Bennett is accused of punching and holding a man by the hair while another man, Jahsiah Laborde, 19, 202 Willow St., stabbed him in the back three times, according to court documents. Police arrested Mr. Laborde on Sunday and he is jailed in lieu of $100,000 bail.

Ms. Macarski and Ms. Collins are each held at Lackawan-na County Prison in lieu of $50,000 bail. Mr. Bennett is held there in lieu of a combined $200,000 bail — $100,000 on the drug counts and $100,000 on the stabbing charges.

Preliminary hearings for Ms. Macarski, Ms. Collins and Mr. Bennett are scheduled for Nov. 3.

Contact the writer:

cover@timesshamrock.com,

@ClaytonOver on Twitter

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

■ Joseph Stanley Grigalunas, 27, Jessup, to three to six years in state prison and at least eight years of probation for access device fraud, theft by deception, theft by unlawful taking, forgery, false reports to law enforcement and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.

■ Ronald Edwards Evans, 30, 318 Warren St., Scranton, to time served (51 days) in county jail for disorderly conduct.

■ Matthew Joseph Dearie, 33, 184 Knapp Road Apt. B, Clarks Summit, to 10 years of court supervision including two years of house arrest and $5,000 in fines for two DUIs.

■ Jontaya Shameka Bennett, 25, 1934 Boulevard Ave., Scranton, to one year and 90 days of probation for disorderly conduct and criminal mischief.

■ Christopher John Weiner, 19, 614 Old River Road, Thorn­hurst, to 45-90 days in county jail for disorderly conduct.

■ Angela Lucke, 36, 218 St. Francis Cabrini Ave., Scranton, to two years of probation for false reports to law enforcement.

■ Jalissa Marie Leon, 20, 1054 Springbrook Ave., Dickson City, to four years of court supervision including three months of house arrest for simple assault and resisting arrest.

■ Randy Greenfield, 32, 800 Dundaff St., Dickson City, to three years of court supervision including time served (three months) in county jail and three months of house arrest.

■ Jamie Lee Chandler, 38, 986 Stanford Creek Road, Wyalusing, to one year of court supervision including three months of house arrest and $5,600 in restitution for theft by deception.

■ Jason Manning, 21, 1726 Washburn St., Scranton, to five years of court supervision including three months in county jail and three months of house arrest for simple assault.

■ Kevin Andrew Polczynski, 27, 487 Lawson Road, Cross­ville, Tennessee, to one to three years in state prison for possession with intent to deliver.

■ Leonardo Valenzuela, 29, Scranton, to 11 months to two years in state prison and two years of probation for receiving stolen property.

■ Nicholas Mata, 24, 901 Hampton St. Apt. 1, Scranton, to three months to six months in county jail, one year of probation and a $500 fine for DUI and possession of small amount of marijuana.

■ Bryan Mejia-Perez, 19, Scran­ton, 648 Philo St., Scran­ton, to two years of court supervision including three months of house arrest for possession of drug paraphernalia.

■ Mario Ortalano, 27, 322 Second Ave., Jessup, to 5½ years of court supervision including time served (92 days) in county jail, three months house arrest and $2,000 in fines for two DUIs and possession of drug paraphernalia.

■ David Silvestrini, 42, 179 Olde Grove Lane, Jefferson Twp., to 18 months of court supervision including two months of house arrest and a $300 fine for DUI — first tier, second offense, and disorderly conduct.

■ Aumont Edwards Jr., 29, 622 Philo St., Scranton, to six months of probation and a $375 fine for DUI — tier one, first offense.

■ Ceejay Brian Hallstead, 29, Simpson, to 11-23 months in county jail for simple assault.

■ Shawn Patrick Balmer Jr., 49, 429 Whitmore Ave., May­field, to one year of court supervision including two months of house arrest for possession of drug paraphernalia.

■ John Christopher Candeloro, 23, 629 W. State St., Larksville, to time served (three days) and a $1,000 fine in county jail for DUI — first offense.

■ Paul T. Davies, 55, 1709 Wayne Ave., Scranton, to six months of court supervision including two months of house arrest and a $1,000 fine for DUI — tier three, first offense.

■ Susan Marie Margotta, 49, Throop, to 11-23 months in county jail for retail theft.

Judge Vito Geroulo sentenced:

■ Kellie Kaye Bartell, 42, 1418 N. Sumner Ave., Scranton, to two months to 1½ years in county jail, one year of probation and a $1,000 fine for endangering the welfare of children, fleeing police and DUI — tier three, first offense.

■ Joel Yournet Martinez, 33, Scranton, to 11-23½ months in county jail and one year of probation for possession with intent to deliver and possession of a controlled substance.

■ Sabrina Helring, 40, 141 S. Sumner Ave., Scranton, to three months to one year in county jail for theft by unlawful taking.

■ James Lee Brown, 42, 1002 Price St., Scranton, to 2½ years of court supervision including three days of house arrest and a $1,000 fine for resisting arrest and DUI — tier three, first offense.

■ Mariah H. Vivian, 30, 313 S. Hanover St., Carlisle, to two years of probation and $10,521 in restitution for theft by unlawful taking.

■ Hever Bahamonde, 40, 91 E. Passaic Ave., Bloomfield, New Jersey, to two years of probation for terroristic threats.

■ Marquis Griffin, 18, 1057 Euclid Ave., Scranton, to three months to one year in county jail and two years of probation for possessing weapon on school property.

■ Quanaisha Clay, 23, 737 E. Northampton St., Wilkes-Barre, to six months of probation for retail theft.

■ Nelson Dejesus, 26, 534 Lincoln St., Hazleton, to nine to 23 months in county jail and one year of probation for possession with intent to deliver.

■ Michael Vazquez Arroyo, 31, 1718 Stafford, Scranton, to six to 23 months in county prison for escape.

■ Johnny Rosa, 58, 1855 Bloom Ave., Scranton, to three to 11 months in county jail and one year of probation for theft by unlawful taking.

■ Shawn Tyrell Nelson, 30, 436 Main St., Dickson City, to 21-42 months in state prison for possession with intent to deliver.

■ Siobhan McGraw, 31, Rear 526 Delaware St., Olyphant, to two years of probation for reckless endangerment.

■ Jamie Hobbs, 45, 1329 Division St., Scranton, to two years of court supervision including three months of house arrest for delivery of a controlled substance.

■ Fausto Ildefonso, 22, Scran­ton, to 11½-23½ months in county jail, one year of probation and must obtain GED for conspiracy to commit aggravated assault.

■ Tristen DeJesus, 19, Scran­ton, to 11½ to 23½ months in county jail, one year of probation and must obtain GED for conspiracy to commit aggravated assault.

■ Kwayshawn Adams, 22, to 11½ to 23½ months in county jail, one year of probation and must obtain GED for conspiracy to commit aggravated assault.

Judge Margaret Moyle

sentenced:

■ Alan J. Reuther, 60, 1315 Pittston Ave., Scranton, to time served (five days) in county jail to six months of house arrest and a $300 fine for DUI — tier one, second offense.

■ Sheila Sult, 50, 206 Van Loon St., Plymouth, to six days in county jail and six months of house arrest and $400 in fines for DUI — tier one, second offense and careless driving.

■ Kyle Castellani, 30, 1009 Ward St., Jessup, to six months of probation and a $300 fine for DUI — tier one, first offense.

■ Melissa Malenchek, 39, 3300 Birney Ave., Moosic, to six months of court supervision including 72 hours of house arrest and a $1,000 fine for DUI — tier three, first offense.

■ Jose Javier Lugo Rodriguez, 24, 107 Townhouse Blvd., Scran­ton, to two years of probation and 50 hours of community service for delivery of a controlled substance.

■ Walter G. Hartman Jr., 22, 131 Orchard St., Nanticoke, to two to 23½ months in county jail for resisting arrest.

■ Cyril John Lammie, 20, home­less, to six months to two years in state prison and must register as a sex offender for 15 years for indecent assault.

■ Gabriel Aviles, 33, 915 Cedar Ave., Scranton, to 11-23½ months in county jail and 200 hours of community service for possession with intent to deliver.

■ Jose Arcadia Cruz Rivera, 45, 721 Albert St., Dickson City, to five days in county jail to six months of house arrest, a $300 fine and 25 hours of community service for DUI — tier one, second offense.

■ Michael Wall, 52, 503 E. Park St., Olyphant, to two to 23½ months in county jail, one year of probation and $380 in restitution for resisting arrest and disorderly conduct.

■ Leah Marie Price, 42, 821 Meehan St., Dickson City, to 45 days to one year in county jail, $2,414.98 in restitution and nine years of probation for access device fraud.

■ Daniel Parisio, 23, 118 Cypress Lane, Greentown, to 11-23½ months in county jail, two years of probation and obtain a job — minimum 10 applications per month, for robbery with a deadly weapon.

■ Leonard D. Nole, 60, 122 Franklin Ave., Greenfield Twp., to six months of court supervision including 30 days of house arrest and a $750 fine for DUI — tier two, second offense.

■ Timothy Sean Covington Sr., 30, 118 New York St., Scranton, to two to four years in state prison and two years of probation for possession with intent to deliver.

■ John Robert Keller, 34, 320 S. 10th St., Sunbury, to six months of probation and $75 in fines for disregarding traffic lane, reckless driving, careless driving, contempt for failure to appear in court.

SOUTH ABINGTON TWP. — Thursday night’s debate between state Rep. Sid Michaels Kavulich, D-114, Taylor, and Republican challenger Cheryl Scandale-Murninwas postponed.

The League of Women Voters-sponsored event was canceled at Clarks Summit University because Mr. Kavulich did not expect to make it back from Harrisburg in time because the House was in session, said moderator Jean Harris, Ph.D.

The league is trying to coordinate with the candidates to reschedule the debate next week, possibly at the same location. The candidates face off Nov. 8.

—KYLE WIND

SCRANTON — Authorities arrested a man on suspicion of driving under the influence after responding to a crash at Keyser Avenue on Thursday morning, Scranton police said.

Joshua Sawchak, 32, of Taylor, struck a truck with his Ford Windstar van at a high rate of speed on the 700 block of Keyser Avenue and ran into a ditch at 2:05 a.m., Cpl. David Mitchell said.

Mr. Sawchak suffered minor injuries, Cpl. Mitchell said.

DUI and reckless driving charges are pending further investigation.

— JOSEPH KOHUT

HARRISBURG — Lawmakers left municipalities that receive local gambling share money in the lurch Thursday over whether that aid will be restored any time soon.

The House and Senate each approved different bills to restore a state casino tax recently declared unconstitutional and maintain the system for distributing nearly $140 million annually in local share money from casino revenues.

The divide between the two chambers threatens to leave municipalities in Northeast Pennsylvania that receive local share money in a situation similar to school districts and social service nonprofits that went without state aid during a long stalemate over the fiscal 2015-16 budget.

The House took the latest step Thursday, approving legislation 108-71 tying a restoration of local share money to the legalization of casino-based internet gambling, gambling tablets at airports and fantasy sports betting.

The Senate approved a stopgap bill to continue local share money for six months. Senators said a six-month extension would keep the aid spigot open while lawmakers thrash out issues concerning the expansion of gambling and redistribution of the local share.

The House bill provides $100 million in new revenue from internet gambling to plug a hole in the fiscal 2016-17 budget, said House Appropriations Chairman Bill Adolph, R-65, Springfield.

The recent state Supreme Court ruling, which declared the way casinos are taxed for local impact assessments is unconstitutional, put the local share issue suddenly on the legislative agenda. The court ruled in favor of Mount Airy Casino Resort’s complaint that casinos generating less revenue than others pay a heavier burden under the assessment.

House Majority Leader Dave Reed, R-62, Indiana, said his chamber made it very clear it wants to tackle the casino tax restoration and gambling expansion together.

The action came with the end of voting in the two-year legislative session. The session officially ends Nov. 30, but lawmakers return for a couple of days in mid-November to reorganize. Lawmakers typically don’t vote on bills during the post-election “lame duck” session.

Rep. Mike Carroll, D-118, Avoca, who supported the House bill, said he thinks an exception should be made for the local share if an agreement can be reached.

“It’s a critical issue,” he said.

However, top Senate Republican aide Drew Crompton said he thinks the Senate is done with the gambling issue for the year.

The court gave lawmakers until Jan. 26 to pass a casino tax that meets constitutional muster. Lawmakers start a new session in January.

Rep. Sid Michaels Kavulich, D-114, Taylor, voted for the bill. Mr. Kavulich said he opposed internet gambling in the past, but supported this bill because the local share provisions are in it.

Rep. Aaron Kaufer, R-120, Kingston, voted against the bill. He said the bill contains the local share provision that he supports, but unfortunately it is paired with too much new gambling.

“I don’t support turning every cell phone into a slot machine, especially when it’s connected to a credit card,” he said.

Contact the writer: rswift@timesshamrock.com

As crews remove the stone and steel of the former Sears Department Store, the Viewmont Mall announced another retail addition to the shopping center and the region – HomeGoods.

The retailer will occupy 23,000 square feet in new space being constructed on the footprint of the former Sears store that will also house Dick’s Sporting Goods and Field & Stream.

All the stores are expected to open in the fourth quarter of 2017.

Officials at the Viewmont Mall are pleased to have the store join their lineup.

“What makes the addition of HomeGoods more special is that it is new to market,” said Viewmont Mall spokeswoman Amanda Hoprich. “No where else around here has one.”

HomeGoods is an off-priced retail chain operated by TJX Companies Inc., whose other stores include TJ Maxx and Marshalls, which generally feature clothing. TJ Maxx and Marshalls operate stores nearby in the Dickson City Crossings and Target Plaza. As its name suggests, HomeGoods features gifts, accent furniture, lamps, rugs and wall décor. There are more than 500 HomeGoods stores in the United States. The nearest is in Vestal, New York.

Ms. Hoprich said the response has been strong, saying that some shoppers had petitioned the company to locate a store in the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area.

Home improvement and home fashions are two bright points in the retail landscape, said Howard Davidowitz, a retail consultant based in New York City. With real estate values on an uptick, people increasingly have come to view their home as an investment.

“Like TJX’s apparel stores, HomeGoods offer good prices on things for the home that are essential – like lamps and pillow cases,” he said. “People are spending on their homes again. HomeGoods has a combination of merchandize and price.”

Contact the writer:

dfalchek@timesshamrock.com

A former inmate alleges Lackawanna County Prison staff forced him to clean his colostomy bag in his cell’s toilet, one of a series of problems with medical care he claims caused infections and led to otherwise-unnecessary surgery.

James Reed outlined the allegations about his time at the county jail in October and November 2014, in a lawsuit Scranton attorney Matthew Comerford filed in federal court Monday.

Warden Tim Betti and county general counsel Donald Frederickson both said Tuesday they could not comment on the complaint because the county had not yet been served, nor had they seen the details of the lawsuit.

“We haven’t had a chance to investigate the allegations,” Mr. Frederickson said. “However, we will conduct an investigation, and we will vigorously defend the interests of the county.”

According to Mr. Reed’s lawsuit, the Factoryville resident had surgery prior to being incarcerated that required him to wear a colostomy bag.

“This bag exposed the plaintiff’s innards and/or broken skin when it had to be removed, cleaned and/or replaced, dangerous activities which required clean environments, antiseptics and specific tools,” the complaint reads.

Mr. Reed normally would change the colostomy bag at least every three days when he wasn’t imprisoned, but at the jail, he contends he was only allowed to change it every two weeks.

The changing and cleaning requires a clean environment with access to running water, hot water, antibacterial substances to clean and disinfect the bag and tools to properly change it.

“Specifically, plaintiff was forced to and told by corrections officers, nurses and doctors to change the colostomy bag by himself in the toilet in his cell, a horrifically unsafe and unsanitary place,” the lawsuit alleges.

The complaint also describes prison staff refusing to order equipment, his wife being forced to bring what he needed to the prison and Mr. Reed still being denied access to the materials even then.

The document also describes Mr. Reed being refused treatment when he developed a skin infection, severe rashes across his body and face, a high fever and bleeding from his side.

After being released in late November 2014, he immediately went to a doctor, was diagnosed with “multiple, severe infections” and “was required to undergo invasive and painful surgery that would have otherwise been unnecessary, but for his lack of care at the prison,” according to the lawsuit.

Mr. Reed seeks $150,000 in compensatory damages for each of several complaints, along with $150,000 in punitive damages.

The lawsuit names Lackawanna County; county commissioners; former Warden Robert McMillan; Correctional Care, the company that provides medical care to county prison inmates; and several other members of the prison and contractor’s staff as defendants.

Contact the writer:

kwind@timesshamrock.com,

@kwindTT on Twitter

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

■ Miles Lee Vandunk, 45, Carbondale, to 20 months to five years in state prison and two years of probation for escape and possession with intent to deliver.

Judge Margaret Bisignani Moyle sentenced:

■ Mumin Y. Bruton, 23, Scran­ton, to time served (57 days) to 90 days in county jail and 90 days of probation for criminal mischief and harassment.

■ Myron Roberson, 26, 6020 Boardwalk Drive, Tobyhanna, to 21 months to five years in state prison and two years of probation for possession with intent to deliver.

Judge Vito Geroulo sentenced:

■ Matthew Jude Lee Jr., 19, Forest City, to three months to 18 months in county jail and $750 in restitution for corruption of minors.

■ Joseph Paulish, 57, 606 Sanderson Ave., Olyphant, to 30 days to six months in county jail, 90 days of probation and a $500 fine for DUI — first tier, third offense and bad checks.

■ Meghan Catherine Polcha, 22, 195 Decker Road, Jermyn, to 90 days of probation for disorderly conduct.

■ Pamela Rivera Rojas, 37, Queens, New York, to four months to one year in county jail for retail theft.

■ Christopher Scott, 25, 358 Ferdinand St., Scranton, to six months of probation and a $300 fine for DUI — tier one, first offense.

■ Marquis Keith Smith, 36, 1403 Pittston Ave., Apt. 2, Scranton, to six months of probation and a $300 fine for DUI — tier one, first offense.

■ Justin F. McGarr, 37, Archbald, to 10 months to 35 months in state prison and $169.30 in restitution for theft by unlawful taking.

■ Christopher Mehall, 20, Scranton, to ten to 35 months in state prison for simple assault and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Abingtons

Parent program: EOTC workshop series, “Guiding Good Choices,” five Thursdays, beginning Nov. 10, 6-8 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, 300 School St., Clarks Summit; geared to parents of children ages 9-14, to strengthen bonds and reduce risk of drug use; free, details/preregistration, Kristy Ryczak, 570-558-7589; Emily MacDonald, 570-558-7568.

Benton Twp.

Gospel concert: Tri-State Gos­pel Singers at East Benton UM Church, Nov. 6, 6:30 p.m., 200 Jordan Hollow Road, gospel, southern, country, contemporary, old favorites, love offering; refreshments, fellowship follow.

Dickson City

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

Halloween party: Dickson City Primitive Methodist Church Hal­loween party, Monday, 5-8 p.m., Lincoln and Jackson streets, refreshments.

Dunmore

Halloween party: Dunmore Knights of Columbus Halloween Party, Sunday, 2-4 p.m., Dun­more Community Center, 1414 Monroe Ave.; Council 3635, with area businesses providing food, drinks, DJ, costume contest; John Pugliese, 570-969-4393, 570 947-0150.

East Scranton

Bus trip: East Scranton Seniors holiday casino bus trip to Mohegan Sun, Nov. 16, leaves former Price Chopper parking lot, Monroe Avenue, 9:30 a.m., returns, 4:30 p.m.; $20/$20 rebate, $5 food; Isabel, 570-347-7394; Tom, 570-430-1441.

Lackawanna County

Benefit event: AJ Rinaldi, Jr. Foundation for Children with Cancer Christmas Classic, Dec. 3, 7 p.m.-midnight, Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple, cocktails, dinner, dancing, live and silent auctions; black tie optional; sponsorships available; tickets, $200, contacti ejr@slr-properties.com by Nov. 18; benefits Camp Can Do scholarships; Checks payable to Anthony J. Rinaldi, Jr. Founda­tion for Children with Cancer, 538 Spruce St., Suite 600 Scranton, PA 18503.

Spaghetti dinner: St. Cats and Dogs (of the Nay Aug Zoo) third annual benefit spaghetti dinner, Nov. 6, 2-6 p.m., St. Mary’s Center, Mifflin Avenue, Scranton; basket and 50/50 raffles, “Feed a Feline” cat food drive; $15/adult, $6/ children under 12; reserve tickets: St. Cats and Dogs, c/o 1900 E. Gibson St., Scranton, PA 18510, 570-604-4008.

Sock donation: Voluntary Action Center’s Volunteer Center and RSVP’s 14th annual “Make a Difference Day” project, through Monday, accepting new socks — any size, color or style to be distributed to human service agencies and shelters throughout Lackawanna County; 570-347-5616 or npost@vacnepa.org.

Pet photos: Halloween pet photo fundraiser/basket raffle to benefit Northeast Pennsyl­vania Pet Fund & Rescue/local spay/neuter efforts; Sunday, 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Fetching Groom­ing Salon, 1928 Boulevard Ave., Scranton, $6/5x7 and digital pet-only photos by Paula Yunko Photography, proceedhttps://www.facebook.com/events/

1099334633453985/; 570-558-1313.

Health program: Commonwealth Health Physician Network heartburn, GERD, GI Issues free health talk, Nov. 10, 6 p.m., 2 West Conference Room, Moses Taylor Hospital, 700 Quincy Ave., Scranton; featuring gastroenterologist Pardeep Bansal, M.D., light refreshments, free, reservations recommended, call 570-552-7423.

Mayfield

Batteries available: Mayfield Hose Company Engine 1 providing 9-volt batteries for smoke detectors in conjunction with Fire Prevention Month; visit Municipal Building during business hours, quantities limited.

Mountain View

Elementary play: Mountain View Elementary Theater Group presenting “Charlotte’s Web,” Nov. 4-5, 7 p.m., Nov. 6, 3 p.m., elementary school auditorium; $7/adults, $5/students and seniors, dessert bar.

Old Forge

Class meeting: Old Forge High School class of 1964 meeting, Nov. 16, 12:30 p.m., Arcaro and Genell’s.

Regional

Annual galleria: Scranton Prep’s Galleria, Nov. 12-13, more than 70 vendors, “Marketplace” featuring homemade baked goods, basket raffle/lunch both days, Sunday breakfast with Santa, photos, 10 a.m.-noon; breakfast reservations, 570-941-7743, by Friday.

Volunteer training: Delaware Highlands Conservancy eagle watch volunteer training day, Dec. 3, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., meet at Upper Delaware Visitor Center, 176 Scenic Drive, Lackawaxen; attendees will visit eagle observation areas.

Tripp Park

Halloween party: Tripp Park Neighborhood Association Hal­loween party, Monday, 6-9 p.m., community center, DJ, refreshments; free.

Waverly

Dinner theater: Waverly Commu­nity House/Waverly United Meth­odist Church/First Baptist Church of Abington sponsored Veteran’s Day dinner theater, Nov. 11, dinner, 6-7 p.m. theater presentation, 7:30, at the Comm; “The Gino Merli Story,” featuring Robert Schlesinger of Scranton Public Theater; free, donations accepted for Penn­syl­vania Wounded Warriors.

Wayne County

Glass demonstration: Western Wayne High School glassmaking demonstration sponsored by the Dorflinger Glass Museum and Keystone College and featuring Keystone College glass artists, Nov. 5, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Route 296, South Canaan, 1970A Easton Turnpike, Lake Ariel; details, Hank Loftus, Dorflinger Glass Museum, 570-253-1185.

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.