The three teens accused of homicide in the 2015 death of a Scranton police officer have asked the court to move the case to a different county and give each defendant a separate trial, among several other things.

Some of their attorneys also accused former First Assistant District Attorney Gene Talerico, who is running for district attorney and had previously worked on the case, of using social media to publicly eulogize the officer and use it as a platform to build support for himself.

Attorneys for the now-18-year-old defendants — Nasiir Jones, Tanner Curtis and Isiah Edwards — filed the pretrial motions with the court on Friday and Monday.

Their trial is scheduled to begin Feb. 27.

Scranton Patrolman John Wilding died in July 2015 from head injuries he suffered while pursuing the trio after a suspected armed robbery.

Citing the intense and potentially prejudicial media publicity, as well as the intense public interest, the teens’ attorneys asked for a change of venue or an outside jury pool for the trial.

They included Mr. Talerico’s social media posts in describing what they call a biased atmosphere.

Contacted Monday night, Mr. Talerico argued his posts were made in support of Patrolman Wilding and his family, rather than about the defendants, which the law prohibits.

“I’ve never said anything about any of the defendants,” he said. “Nothing. Whatever I may have said would have been to remember Officer Wilding.”

District Attorney Shane Scanlon, whom Mr. Talerico is challenging, and other prosecutors have also shared or written many posts on social media in support of Patrolman Wilding and his family.

In their motions to the court, the teens’ attorneys also petitioned Judge Margaret Bisignani Moyle to split the case into three, giving each defendant his own trial in deference to fairness.

The defense attorneys also asked for suppression of some evidence, including testimony by an investigating state trooper regarding Mr. Jones’ confession, obtained without a parent or guardian in the room.

The defendants were all 17 years old — legal minors — during the time of the incident.

Police had handcuffed and arrested two of the teens at the time Patrolman Wilding, 29, jumped or fell over a short wall and dropped 15 feet into a deep concrete landing, striking his head. The officers had spotted the third suspect, Mr. Edwards, hiding under a staircase, and cuffed him immediately after hearing Patrolman Wilding fall, officers testified.

Prosecutors have charged the teens with second-degree homicide, which is committed in Pennsylvania when a death occurs during the perpetration of a felony.

The judge has already refused the defendants’ requests to move the case to juvenile court as well as that she remove herself from the case.

The prosecution must now respond by Nov. 28 to the briefs before Judge Moyle rules on them.

Contact the writer: pcameron@timesshamrock.com, @pcameronTT on Twitter

There was a bit of a chill — and a lot of spookiness — in the air Monday as children throughout the region took part in trick-or-treating and other Halloween activities. Many schools held holiday-themed events, including Robert Morris Elementary School in Scranton, where youngsters took part in a Halloween parade in Green Ridge.

Avoca

Polish dinner: Queen of the Apostles Parish’s Women’s Guild Polish dinner, Saturday, 5-7 p.m., parish hall, former St. Mary’s School, 742 Spring St.; limited to 160 sit-down dinners; $10/adults, $5/10 and younger, takeouts available; 570-457-3412, 570-457-7804 or 570-457-3759, limited tickets at door.

Carbondale

Addiction seminar: Families and Communities Embracing Solu­tions free seminar of educational speakers and discussion regarding: addiction, symptoms, treatment, recovery, family counseling and support, Nov. 8, 7 p.m., auditorium, Just Believe Recovery Campus, 141 Salem Ave., featuring Donald Wydeen, addiction specialist.

Dunmore

Spaghetti dinner: Dunmore Rotary Club spaghetti dinner, Sunday, noon-4 p.m., Carmella’s Restaurant, 140 Erie St.; takeouts available; $9/adults, $4/children, Sack’s Tailor Shop, 127 S. Blakley St., or at door, 570-343-6613; benefits family of 2016 Dunmore graduate Patrick Dougherty, who is battling cancer; will help offset medical costs.

Forest City

Coat drive: Christ Episcopal Church Coats for the Community distribution event, Thursday and Friday, noon-3 p.m., Saturday, 1-4 p.m., Delaware and Dundaff streets; free coats, no questions/no qualifications, provided by Montrose American Legion Post 154, congregation of Christ Church and donations; additional donations of clean and serviceable, winter coats/accessories welcome; monetary donations: Coats for the Community, mailed to American Legion Post 154, 14515 State Route 2001, Montrose, PA 18801.

Hamlin

Food/crafts: Harriet Greene Chapter 198 Order of the East­ern Star soup, craft, vendors and baked goods sale, Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Salem Masonic Lodge, Route 191; vendors, homemade soups (takeouts available), baked goods, crafts.

Honesdale

Rotary dinner: Honesdale Rotary International Flavors Dinner buffet of international dishes, Saturday, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Honesdale High School, 459 Terrace St.; $15/adults, $10/children; tickets at local banks, Stephens Pharmacy/Honesdale, by phone, 570-253-8631 or at door.

Jefferson Twp.

Veterans run: Jefferson Twp. 3rd annual Veterans Memorial 5K Walk/Run, 10K Run, Satur­day, 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.

Lackawanna County

Pancake breakfast: Friends of the Poor Monsignor Anthony C. Marra Memorial Fund, pancake and sausage breakfast, Satur­day, 8-10 a.m. Applebees Restaurant, Viewmont Mall; $7 adults/$4 children, Tom DiVizio, 570-344-2388; Mary Ann Coviello, 570-344 3737.

Food baskets: United Neighbor­hood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania Feed-A-Friend program registration through Nov. 18, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Thursdays, 8 a.m.-6 p.m., documentation required, UNC’s Community Services building, 410 Olive St.; Scranton; Upper Valley Project Hope registration, Friday, 9 a.m.-noon, Nov. 9, 3-6 p.m., Nov. 14, 3- 6 p.m., St. Rose Church Family Center, base­ment, 4 N. Church St., Carbondale; information, or to make donation, 570-346-0759 or go to www.uncnepa.org.

Tree lighting: Visiting Nurses Association of Lackawanna County Hospice Memorial Tree Lighting Ceremony, Thursday, 6:30 p.m., outside 301 Dela­ware Ave., Olyphant; refreshments, fellowship, follow inside; 570-383-5180.

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.

Madisonville

Election meal: Madisonville Fire Company Auxiliary serving home­made soups, wimpies, desserts, Tuesday, 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m. or sold out; 570-842-7711.

Mayfield

Bazaar/food: St. John’s Rus­sian Orthodox Cathedral Christ­mas bazaar, Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. and Sunday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., parish center, 701 Hill St.; crafters, vendors, St. John’s Gift Shop; sleigh rides with Santa with photos available, Friday: pierogi, clam chow­der, cabbage noodles, pizza, daily specials and dinners: baked haddock dinner, Friday, 4 p.m.; chicken marsala, city chicken and cabbage roll dinners, Saturday and Sunday, 4 p.m.; vendors/crafters and other details: St. John’s Rectory, 570-876-0730, 570-254-6882 or 570-876-0391.

Nicholson

Church bazaar: United Metho­dist Church annual bazaar with crafts, White Elephant item, baked goods, Saturday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., 64 State St., soup and sandwiches in kitchen; 570-942-6995.

Old Forge

Retirees meet: Old Forge Retired Citizens meeting, Wednesday, 2:30 p.m., Arcaro and Genell’s.

Scranton

Beef dinner: St. John Neu­mann’s Parish roast beef dinner, Sunday, noon-4 p.m., Holy Name of Jesus Church Hall, East Mountain; takeouts, 11 a.m., roast beef, potatoes, gravy, green beans, coleslaw, homemade desserts, $12/adults Friday, $14/at door; $6/child, 570-344-6159, secretary@stjnparish.org; also raffling handmade Patriotic Patchwork Quilt, autumn centerpiece with dinner certificate.

Pierogi sale: St. Nicholas Ortho­dox Church homemade pierogi sale, Friday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., 505 Jefferson Ave., $7/dozen; advance orders, 570-344-1522.

Pork/sauerkraut: Hickory Street Presbyterian Church pork and sauerkraut dinner, Saturday, 5-7 p.m., 435 Hickory St., takeouts, 4-5 p.m.; $10/adults, $5/kids; church office, 570-343-4235; Brian Klatt, 570-702-6373.

Taylor

Pancake/sausage breakfast: Taylor Fire and Rescue Company pancake and sausage breakfast, Sunday, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., 1137 Reynolds Ave., $7, at door.

Chicken dinner: Taylor Metho­dist Church takeout-only roasted chicken dinner, Saturday, 4-6:30 p.m., 402 S. Main St., $10; 570-357-8194.

Throop

Auxiliary meeting: VFW Post 7251 Auxiliary meeting, Sunday, 1 p.m.

Upvalley

Gun raffle: Meredith Hose Company gun/cash option raffle, Saturday, 5-9:30 p.m., 100 Main St., Childs; food/refreshments, $20 limited to 325 tickets; 570-282-3102.

West Scranton

Seniors meet: Young at Heart Seniors meet Thursday, 11:30 a.m., Jackson Street Baptist Church; reservations accepted for Christmas party.

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

A conservative think tank issued a report on Scranton’s long-standing financial distress and offered some unsolicited advice.

The Mercatus Center at George Mason University in Virginia conducted a case study on Scranton and made various recommendations, some of which include “limit collective bargaining” to curb rising employee costs, cap pensions, divest assets and implement pension and tax reforms and privatization measures.

The city pursued or is pursuing some of the recommendations, such as monetizing assets and reviewing the elimination of punitive business privilege/mercantile taxes. Other recommendations, such as limiting collective bargaining and removing benefits from union negotiations, would require changes in state law.

That is part of the point of the study, to highlight the center’s belief that reform of state laws that hamper recovery efforts and stifle business growth is needed for Scranton, and other distressed municipalities, to fix structural fiscal problems.

“We talk about how there’s definitely some state barriers in what Scranton can do” to achieve recovery, report co-author Adam Millsap said.

Co-author Eileen Norcross noted that Scranton made some progress, including monetizing assets to generate revenue to help pay bills and debt.

“Paying down debt and closing deficits is crucial but not enough,” Ms. Norcross said in a statement. “For Pennsylvania’s distressed municipalities to thrive again, reforms must replace poor fiscal institutions with ones that promote transparency, stability and prudence. This is the main way in which Scranton (and other Pennsylvania cities) can compete for businesses and residents: by offering government services at lower cost and eliminating penalties and barriers to locating, working and living in Scranton.”

For city Business Administrator David Bulzoni, the report is nothing new.

“It’s a great wish list, but if you’re looking at it in the context of what state law allows, that’s what it is — a wish list,” Mr. Bulzoni said. “Looking at revenue generation and cost control is all good, but Scranton has to work in the confines of state law.”

Mr. Bulzoni also found it odd that the study says Scranton suffers from “relative isolation,” despite containing stretches of interstate and turnpike highways, and having an airport nearby.

“I guess I’ve gotten accustomed to being kicked,” Mr. Bulzoni said. “Scranton has often been a whipping boy in the comments of the analyst community.”

Mr. Millsap said the remark on isolation refers to how other cities closer to Philadelphia, such as Allentown and Lancaster, or closer to New York City, have been able to better leverage products, services and jobs because of their locations.

Contact the writer:

jlockwood@timesshamrock.com, @jlockwoodTT on Twitter

BEAR CREEK TWP. — State police launched a homicide investigation Monday night after hunters discovered a female’s body in the woods alongside an isolated road in Bear Creek Township.

Investigators are asking the public’s help in trying to identify the victim, who they say had dark colored, grayish hair.

Details about how police think the female was killed were not immediately released.

State police said two hunters found the body around 5:45 p.m. in the woods alongside White Haven Road, the road that starts at state Route 115 near the Bear Creek Lake dam and the Bear Creek Cafe.

The body was found in a densely forested stretch about four miles from Route 115 and just before the access road to the Francis E. Walter Dam.

A press release from state police at Wyoming indicates the troop’s major case team was assigned to investigate.

The release indicates the death is being treated as a homicide, but no details are included about what might have caused the female’s death.

Anyone who might know the identify of the female is being asked to contact state police at 570-697-2000.

Luzerne County District Attorney Stefanie Salavantis said she could not immediately release details about the investigation.

Luzerne County Coroner Bill Lisman, who responded to the scene to remove the body, did not immediately respond to phone calls and a text message Monday night.

bkalinowski@citizensvoice.com

570-821-2055, @cvbobkal

Live Nation will stay at the Pavilion at Montage Mountain for at least the next five years.

The concert promoter on Monday notified Lackawanna County commissioners it will not exercise its option to terminate the rest of the lease that runs through 2021 at the county-owned amphitheater in Scranton. Monday was the last day for Live Nation to opt out of the concession agreement.

The county administration and Live Nation began discussing the promoter’s future at the venue in March. Both sides reached a short-term deal earlier this year that solidified the 2016 concert season and required Live Nation to contribute $75,000 to cover costs of providing deputies for security in 2015 — but continued to discuss the company’s longer-range outlook there.

Andy Wallace, chief of staff to the board of commissioners, said the administration agreed in principle with conditions requested by Live Nation, and attorneys were reviewing their impact on the existing contract.

He declined to specify what they are, however, saying negotiations were still ongoing.

The promoter also addressed several concerns the county raised earlier this year, including safety issues, Mr. Wallace said.

“We recognize that the concerts have a large impact on the local economy,” Mr. Wallace said. “However, the county commissioners continue to be concerned about the cost of subsidizing the amphitheater, which will cost the taxpayers of Lackawanna County $450,000 per year.”

Mr. Wallace declined to elaborate on the figure, but Live Nation’s $550,000 in rent is roughly $250,000 less than $800,000 in annual debt service the county pays for construction of the pavilion. The debt is scheduled to be paid off Oct. 1, 2020.

David Niedbalski, vice president of marketing for Live Nation, declined to comment.

George Kelly, Lackawanna County’s economic development director, described word that Live Nation intends to stay as “excellent news” and said it gives people who come from outside the area an introduction to the region.

“It has put Scranton on the map,” Mr. Kelly said. “We are getting a draw of over 100 miles. It helps introduce people who may not have ever come to Scranton, Pennsylvania, to Lackawanna County, so it’s more than a rest stop off of I-81.”

Live Nation conducted an economic impact study with the Wilkes-Barre-based Institute for Public Policy and Economic Development that found the promoter’s events generated $32.4 million in economic activity and attracted more than 100,000 people from outside the region to Montage Mountain last year.

“We don’t disagree with the economic impact,” Mr. Wallace said.

Contact the writer:

kwind@timesshamrock.com,

@kwindTT on Twitter

WILKES-BARRE — A Kingston attorney disbarred earlier this year for duping clients saw charges against him for bad checks dropped Monday after he paid his debts.

Luzerne County Judge Tina Polachek Gartley last week issued bench warrants for Anthony J. Moses, 37, because he failed to appear for a trial date on misdemeanor charges accusing him of writing bad checks for $258 and $237 at the Price Chopper in Edwardsville in January 2013.

On Monday, Gartley granted a prosecution motion to drop the charges filed because Moses provided proof of payment in full.

The Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania disbarred Moses in May for cashing checks and failing to work, practicing while his law license was suspended and failing to adequately represent his clients.

Downtown Hoedown

benefits Marley’s

Val Langan, Maggie Nasser and Tami Prall Nasser are channeling their inner westerners as they prepare for the Downtown Hoedown for Hope. The themed event to benefit Marley’s Mission is scheduled Saturday from 6 to 9 p.m. at Backyard Ale House, 523 Linden St., Scranton.

Silent auction items, raffles, including a 50/50, will be accompanied by a three-hour open bar featuring wines, all rotating draft beer, a selection of import, domestic and craft beer, and a fall signature cocktail and passed hors d’oeuvres. Entertainment will be provided by Light Weight.

“This will be an event folks won’t want to miss. Those planning the night have done a magnificent job combining our work with horses, a western theme, and the hope that is built each day for the children receiving equine-assisted psychotherapy at Marley’s Mission,” said attorney Gene Talerico, Marley’s Mission board president.

Tickets at $50 can be purchased by emailing

auction@marleymission.com or calling 570-587-HOPE. Checks can be mailed to: Marley’s Mission, P.O. Box 505, Scranton, PA 18505.

Modern artist

Local country music artist Dani-elle Kleha of Jermyn beat out more than three dozen other nominees to be named “Modern Female Country Artist of the Year” at the 2016 Josie Music Awards. The awards ceremony, created by Internet radio star, Josie Passantino, recognizes outstanding efforts put forth by independent music artists throughout the United States. It included a red carpet walk prior to the show, where Dani-elle, 20, wore

Badgley Mischka, Michael Kors, and jewelry designed by Golden Karat Jewelers. Dani-elle and her band were among country music’s rising stars

performing.

High notes

The Roaring ’20s will be back when St. Joseph’s Center Auxiliary, led by a committee including Michele Gerrity Druther, Lynn Gavin Danelle Hogan, Lisa Malos, Mary Lynn O’Bell, Lisa Rigau, Linda Robeson and Marianne Stoko host a speakeasy-themed Dennis Crafferty Memorial Auction. An open bar and surf-and-turf dinner will kickoff events at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 18, in the McIlhenny Ballroom at the University of Scranton.

WILKES-BARRE — A former police officer and school district security guard pleaded guilty Monday to indecent assault of a child.

Gerald John Cookus, 78, was arrested in April after police accused him of inappropriately touching an 8-year-old girl. He initially faced charges of indecent assault of a person under 13 and endangering the welfare of children, but the latter charge was dismissed when Cookus waived his right to a preliminary hearing.

Luzerne County Judge Joseph F. Sklarosky Jr. accepted the plea Monday.

Cookus, a former member of the Wilkes-Barre Police Department, was most recently employed as a security guard at Plains/Solomon Junior High School. Authorities said the alleged assault occurred off school grounds.

Investigators said Cookus was observed touching the girl in an inappropriate manner then massaging her buttocks.

During questioning, Cookus denied sexually assaulting the girl and said he massaged the child’s buttocks because he thought she liked it and “was doing her a favor,” according to prosecutors. Cookus then told investigators the allegations are going to ruin his “life and his career as a law enforcement officer,” prosecutors said.

Authorities said Cookus also admitted to engaging in other inappropriate behavior.

Cookus, who retired from the Wilkes-Barre police department in May 1986 at the rank of lieutenant, helped establish the Wilkes-Barre Crime Watch and once served as president of the State Crime Prevention Officers Association.

After retiring, he became director of security for Wilkes University before taking a job as a security officer and greeter for the Wilkes-Barre Area School District in November 2013.

Upon accepting Cookus’ plea to the felony charge, Sklarosky ordered the former lawman to have no contact with the victim, nor any unsupervised contact with minors.

Cookus will be required to register with state police as a sex offender for life and undergo sex offender therapy, the judge ordered. He was also banned from visiting any area children frequent — such as schools, parks, public pools or playgrounds.

Sklarosky allowed Cookus to remain free on $25,000 unsecured bail pending sentencing, set for Feb. 7.

570-821-2058, @cvjimhalpin

WILKES-BARRE — The tax-paying public has a chance to address the proposed 2017 Luzerne County budget at a hearing today.

The budget hearing, which begins at 6 p.m. in the council meeting room in the courthouse, is the first of two scheduled hearings on the proposed budget. A second hearing is scheduled for Dec. 6.

Anyone can comment at any council meeting, but today’s hearing is devoted exclusively to public comment.

The proposed 2017 budget includes a 4 percent property tax increase, raising the millage rate from 5.7456 mills to 5.9754 mills.

A mill is a $1 tax on every $1,000 of assessed property. Under the new rate, a property assessed at $100,000 would pay approximately $598 per year, or about $23 more than the previous tax rate.

The proposal also includes a $5 vehicle registration fee, which would help pay for the costs of maintaining county roads and bridges.

In 2015, county government budgeted $1.7 million from the general fund to cover road maintenance. County management estimated the fee could bring in just over $1 million in 2017. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation thinks a $5 fee could bring in $1.4 million per year.

The budget does not reinstate the homestead tax exemption, which eliminated property taxes for the first $10,000 of assessed value for a primary residence. In 2014, it was worth $57 per home.

Council voted in 2014 to repeal the exemption for three years. Some council members wanted to reintroduce the exemption, but with more than $320 million of principal debt the county was not in a position to give out a tax break, said County Manager David Pedri at the Oct. 11 meeting when he presented his proposal to council.

The financial plan for next year moves the county closer toward paying off a principal debt of $320 million and achieving the financial stability that will allow it to achieve an investment-grade credit rating. It adds 18 more employees to the county workforce.

DIVISION PROPOSALS

Ahead of the deadline for amending the manager’s budget proposal, county council hears from each division head and goes over each line of their budget requests. Council has heard from the controller, district attorney, and chief public defender.

Today, after the budget hearing, council will hear from the leaders of the courts and budget and finance divisions, and the solicitor.

Council has until Dec. 15 to alter the financial plan. If they don’t make changes by that date the budget goes into effect as proposed.

bwellock@citizensvoice.com

570-821-2051, @CVBillW

If you go:

WHAT: Luzerne County budget hearing on proposed 2017 budget, immediately followed by budget work session

WHEN: 6 p.m. today

WHERE: Luzerne County Courthouse, 200 N. River St., Wilkes-Barre

DUNMORE

FNCB Bancorp earnings drop

FNCB Bancorp Inc., the parent company of Dunmore-based FNCB Bank, announced Monday a 50 percent dividend increase for the fourth quarter of 2016.

FNCB declared a 3-cents dividend per share, up from the the third-quarter’s 2 cents.

Earlier this month, FNCB reported $2 million in earnings, a 13.7 percent slide from the same quarter a year ago.

The decrease was because of higher income tax and other noninterest expenses that partially were mitigated by higher net interest income.

Earnings per share were 12 cents, down two cents from the year-ago period.

— STAFF REPORT

From tutoring and internships to holiday parties and service projects, area business leaders soon will have a greater role in the Scranton School District.

With a goal of increasing engagement and involvement in the education of the city’s 10,000 students, the district will announce a community partnership program during tonight’s school board work session.

“It’s a great way to bring the business community into the education setting,” Superintendent Alexis Kirijan, Ed.D., said. “So many people feel if they don’t have kids in the school district, they don’t need to be involved. But we’d love to have them.”

Principals and business officials soon will meet to discuss the academic goals of the schools and ways the community members can help. The program is similar to one Dr. Kirijan saw when she worked in Georgia.

Justin MacGregor, director of community relations, asked area businesses to become involved.

“It wasn’t a hard sell,” he said. “Everyone wanted to participate.”

For example, students at West Scranton Intermediate School will learn more about engineering while observing the 3-D printer at Simplex Homes. The Law Offices of Pond Lehocky will mentor West Scranton High School’s mock trial team. Valor Credit Union will teach John F. Kennedy Elementary students about financial literacy. Scranton Running Co. will encourage a healthy lifestyle at John Adams Elementary.

Businesses will see the needs, challenges and strengths of the city’s schools, Dr. Kirijan said.

“The options are limitless for the businesses as well as our students,” she said. “Programs like this can grow and grow.”

After this school year, the district and its partners will evaluate the program and consider rotating the businesses to other schools.

The Commonwealth Medical College will offer tutoring and its REACH-HEI program — an initiative to provide a pathway through college to economically disadvantaged students — to students at Northeast Intermediate.

“We’re really excited,” said Ida Castro, vice president for government and community relations and chief diversity officer for TCMC. “We’re trying to enrich their experiences and make them continue to fall in love with learning, and particularly with hopefully life sciences.”

The district will announce the program and introduce the business leaders during tonight’s work session at 7 at the Administration Building, 425 N. Washington Ave.

Contact the writer:

shofius@timesshamrock.com, @hofiushallTT on Twitter

Community partnership program

Schools in the Scranton School District will partner

with the following local businesses for the 2016-17 school year:

• Scranton High School: The Times-Tribune

• West Scranton High School: Law Offices of Pond

Lehocky

• Northeast Intermediate: The Commonwealth Medical College

• South Intermediate: PennWood Financial Group

• West Intermediate: Simplex Homes

• Robert Morris Elementary: Green Ridge Business

Association

• Neil Armstrong Elementary: Graham Public Relations

• John Adams Elementary: Scranton Running Co.

• George Brancroft Elementary: Jack Williams Tire

• Isaac Tripp Elementary: Crunch Fitness

• Charles Sumner Elementary: Dickson City Hyundai

• Frances Willard Elementary: Lamar Advertising

• John F. Kennedy Elementary: Valor Credit Union

• McNichols Plaza Elementary: University of Scranton

• John G. Whittier Elementary/annex: Lackawanna

Heritage Valley Authority

• William Prescott Elementary: DePietro’s Pharmacy

• Electric City Academy: Eastern Penn Supply Co.

SCRANTON — Lackawanna County detectives on Monday charged a Scranton man for dealing heroin after they said they caught him with nearly 200 bags, authorities said.

Wilfredo Oyola, 34, 426 Deopt St., was arrested shortly after noon when he arrived at Convenient Food Mart, 3021 N. Main Ave., to sell 150 bags of heroin.

Detectives then searched his home and found another 30 bags of heroin in a dresser drawer, along with $800 in cash. They found no paraphernalia indicating he used the drug.

Mr. Oyola was arraigned later Monday and sent to Lackawanna County Prison in lieu of $75,000 bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Nov. 10.

— JOSEPH KOHUT

The owners of a Scranton home improvement company agreed to plead guilty to bilking the state’s unemployment compensation fund out of more than $150,000.

Samuel Borgia, 52, and Steven Borgia,46, owners of Home Resource Center Inc., falsely reported they were not working and instructed at least 10 of their employees to also report they were not working when, in fact, they were, according to a plea deal the U.S. Attorney’s Office filed Monday in federal court. The scheme allowed the Borgias and their employees to fraudulently collect full unemployment compensation benefits from Jan. 1, 2009 to Dec. 30, 2012.

Both men agreed to plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of up to five years in prison, according to the plea agreement. The plea deal also calls for the men to pay $182,562 in restitution.

The charges stem from an investigation by the United States Department of Labor, Office of the Inspector General and the Pennsylvania Department of Labor. No date has been set for them to enter their guilty pleas.

Contact the writer:

tbesecker@timesshamrock.com, @tmbeseckerTT on Twitter

SCRANTON — The Anthracite Heritage Museum will host a meeting to help shape the next statewide plan safeguarding the commonwealth’s culture, the state Historic Preservation Office said Monday.

The open house will be held Thursday from 3:30 p.m. through 7:30 p.m. The museum is in McDade Park.

The plan is intended to serve as a resource for those working with old and historic places. The event is free.

At the forum, two one-hour discussions from Mindy Crawford, Preservation Pennsylvania’s executive director, are scheduled for 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

— JOSEPH KOHUT

MARRIAGE LICENSES

■ Jacobo Martinez and Ofelia Chico-Vara, both of Scranton.

■ Lindsay Annmarie Conklin and Patrick Eugene Batsford, both of Cortland, N.Y.

PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS

■ William J. Gavin, Old Forge, to Covatar Inc., Old Forge; a property at 398 Moosic Road, Old Forge, for $85,000.

■ James P. and Sharon Sagona, both of Scranton; to Kelly Lucas, Moosic; a property at 2415 Prospect Ave., Scran­ton, for $55,000.

■ Daniel L. Penetar Jr., Master in Partition, Scranton, to Tammy Jo Lagoey, Dickson City; a property at 412 Storrs St., Dickson City, for $52,000.

■ Pro-Ko Properties Inc., to Gary Jr. and Bobbi Hughes, both of Dunmore; a property at 607 Shirley Lane, Dunmore, for $174,900.

■ Michael T. Bruch, Summer­ton, S.C., to David E. Jennings, Dunmore; a property at Route 690, Spring Brook Twp., for $165,279.

■ Jean Rankosky, DuPont, to S. Dennis Clawson, Easy Strouds­burg; a property in Covington Twp., for $80,000.

■ Amerigo A. and Elizabeth A. Menichetti, both of Blakely, to Chadd E. and Kathryn Tyler, both of Scranton; a property at 521 Gino Merli Drive, Blakely, for $216,500.

■ Beth Ann Dougherty, Webster, N.Y., to Thomas and Melissa Contorno, both of Mayfield; a property at 102 Douglas Drive, Lot 9, Greenfield Twp., for $239,000.

■ Brenda McHugh, Glenburn Twp., to Daniel and Stephanie Sluck, both of Dalton; a property at Humphrey Road, Glenburn Twp., for $390,000.

■ Jerry K. and Margie H. Rich­mond, both of Jefferson Twp., to Mark A. and Jessica Sabato, both of Olyphant; a property at 102 White Oak Way, Jefferson Twp., for $362,000.

■ Thomas W. and Rebekah Daniels, both of Raymore, Mis­souri, to Michael J. Daugherty, Clarks Green; a property at 522 Hilltop Lane, South Abington Twp., for $165,000.

■ Alan Drummond, successor trustee of the Taylor Family Trust, to Michael and Jaclyn Tillsley, both of Newton Twp.; a property at Gravel Pond Road, Newton Twp., for $200,000.

■ Charles B. and Janet B. Stivala, to James J. and Maureen Castaldi; a property in Spring Brook Twp., for $28,000.

■ Robert L. and Tina M. Jones, both of Moscow, to Ben­ja­min and Margaret Pisanchyn, both of Clarks Summit; a property at 329 S. 9th Ave., Scran­ton, for $26,000.

■ Edward Zielenski, as administrator of the estate of Edward Zielenski aka Edward Zielinski, to Michael Zielinski, Archbald; a property at 510 Goers Hill, Archbald, for $150,000.

■ Danielle Angeloni, Archbald, to Leo and Aubrie Wolfsberger, both of Jessup; a property at 433 Deer Run Drive, Archbald, for $295,000.

■ BGM Enterprises Inc., Throop, to John and Danielle Smolley, both of Throop; a property in Throop, for $45,000.

■ Joseph C. Schneider Sr., to David P. Kellock; a property at 101 Main St., Archbald, for $166,000.

■ Blue Shutters Land Develop­ment LLC, Covington Twp., to Charles R. and Kathleen A. Hughes, both of Scranton; a property in Covington Twp., for $65,000.

ESTATES FILED

■ Lorraine R. Wisnieski, 121 Bonnie Drive, North Abington Twp., letters testamentary to Lorraine M. Wisnieski, same address.

■ Elizabeth M. Millard, 1110 Quincy Ave., Apt. A, Scranton, letters of administration to Trina M. Adams, 2414 Albion Ave., Baltimore, Md.

■ Agnes R. Golenski, 124 Bridge St., Old Forge, letters testamentary to James Rodgers, same address.

ARDS

The following were admitted to the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program for driving under the influence:

■ Alexis Lynn Krisanda, 23, Archbald, stopped April 12 by Blakely police.

■ Stewart T. Lipisko, 33, Scranton, stopped Feb. 18 by Scranton police.

■ Bobby W. Wanamaker Jr., 33, Scranton, stopped May 1 by South Abington Twp. police.

■ Ann P. Scott, 56, Old Forge, stopped June 27, 2014, by state police.

■ Michael Matthew Harris, 25, Factoryville, stopped May 22, 2016, by Mayfield police.

■ Wayne E. Thalmann, 27, Newfoundland, stopped May 22 by Scranton police.

■ Michael E. Osborne, 48, Scranton, stopped April 26 by Scranton police.

■ Ryan Michael Dolan, 20, Olyphant, stopped May 12 by South Abington Twp. police.

■ Allex Legora, 22, Scranton, stopped Nov. 11 by Scranton police.

■ Thomas Knott, 19, Scran­ton, stopped April 2 by South Abington Twp. police.

■ William Francis Stivala, 60, Clarks Summit, stopped Aug. 7, 2015 by state police.

■ John James Rafalko, 52, Scranton, stopped Jan. 1 by Scranton police.

The following defendants were admitted to the ARD program for other crimes:

■ Isaiah Jordan Robinson, 20, Lake Ariel, arrested June 7 by Archbald police for intentional possession of a controlled substance by a person who is not registered and use and possession of drug paraphernalia.

■ Kenshon Robinson, 20, Hal­e­don, N.J., arrested Nov. 6 by Scranton police for use and pos­session of drug paraphernalia.

■ John Paul Christian Mericle, 25, Wyoming, arrested May 27 by state police for use and possession of drug paraphernalia.

■ Cody Paraschak, 20, Har­veys Lake, arrested March 30 by Scranton police for use and possession of drug paraphernalia.

■ Courtney Pietsch, 20, Scran­ton, arrested Dec. 13 by Dick­son City police for defiant trespassing with actual communication to the actor.

■ Kevin Kerekes, 23, Clarks Summit, arrested Nov. 18 by South Abington Twp. police for use and possession of drug

paraphernalia.

■ Kevin Kerekes, 23, Clarks Summit, arrested Jan. 2 by South Abington Twp. polce for use and possession of drug

paraphernalia.

■ Jacob Allan Mostowski, 21, Lake Ariel, arrested June 7 by Archbald for intentional possession of a controlled substance by a person who is not registered and use and possession of drug paraphernalia.

■ Ryan Michael Dolan, 20, Olyphant, arrested June 27, 2015 by Taylor police for use and possession of drug paraphernalia.

ONLINE: thetimes-tribune.com/courts

WILKES-BARRE — Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Secretary Ted Dallas kicked off the start of the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program application process for the 2016-2017 season on Monday at the Wilkes-Barre YMCA.

The program provides assistance for home heating bills to keep low-income Pennsylvanians warm and safe during the winter months. Assistance is available for renters and homeowners. Crisis and LIHEAP grants begin Nov. 1 and run through March 31, 2017.

“This federally funded program provided hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians a warm place to live during last winter,” Dallas said in a Tuesday press release.

Online applications can be completed at www.compass.state.pa.us. Paper applications are available through local county assistance offices, or interested applicants can download and print an application from the department’s website.

For more information on LIHEAP, go to www.dhs.pa.gov.

— DENISE ALLABAUGH

Airbnb, the popular online hospitality company that acts as a middleman for room rentals soon may collect hotel taxes for hosts in Lackawanna County.

The Airbnb model is the latest online business that poses a challenge to a traditional regulatory framework, as the county struggled to collect the 7 percent levy from county residents who use the online intermediary to connect with customers.

Reggie Mariani, chief internal auditor at the controller’s office, recalled county staff looking at the Airbnb website after the business ran an ad during the Super Bowl.

“We went online to see how extensive it is,” Mr. Mariani said. “We said, ‘Gee, there are tons of people advertising in Lackawanna County as hosts.’ And, we’d only collected for one or two people at the time.”

Since then, the controller’s officer and tax claim bureau worked together to improve collections, although it hasn’t been easy.

Ron Koldjeski, tax claim bureau director, described a labor-intensive process of periodically checking the company’s website for listings, trying

to piece together which property is being rented with limited information and tracing it back to the owner through public records.

The departments were still able to get about 80 hosts that rent through Airbnb and similar sites paying hotel taxes, which Mr. Mariani expected to make a difference over time. If all of the hosts rented out rooms for a single night, they would raise $12,000 in income and pay the county $861, the auditor estimated.

Donald Frederickson, the county’s general counsel, nonetheless described staying on top of it as likely unsustainable without help from Airbnb unless the county hires more staff to track low-level rentals.

Airbnb already collects the state hotel occupancy tax from its hosts under an agreement the state Department of Revenue announced June 15, but aside from Philadelphia and Allegheny counties, the deal doesn’t cover county-level taxes in the rest of the state.

Mr. Mariani described reaching out to Airbnb many times and eventually being referred to the Delaware-based company’s legal department, which gave the county a take-it-or-leave-it offer of a contract it provides to other municipalities to collect hotel taxes.

Attempts to reach Airbnb’s media contacts were unsuccessful.

County officials said they felt the deal will help with collections but were not completely comfortable with every aspect of the agreement.

For example, the contract — which commissioners are expected to consider at their Nov. 16 meeting — only allows the county to audit the company for 12-month periods out of every 48 months. It also allows the company to keep identities of hosts private and limits the county’s ability to audit guests or hosts themselves.

“For the resources it takes us to go out and identify these properties, we thought it would be in the best interest of the county to give it a try and see how it works,” Mr. Frederickson said. “We can always opt out (with 30 days notice).”

Contact the writer:

kwind@timesshamrock.com

@kwindTT on Twitter

The Bridge column published on Page C3 Tuesday was incomplete. Here is the end of the column that was cut off:

“He must be trying an uppercut. To play his part, East ruffs with the diamond four. Note that when South overruffs with the 10, West gains a trump trick to defeat the contract.”

Clifford

Chicken/biscuits: Clifford United Methodist Church chicken-n-biscuit or ham dinner, Tuesday, 4-6 p.m.; Main Street, dinner, dessert, drink, $8.95.

Garden club: Mountain View Garden Club meeting, Nov. 15, 7 p.m., Clifford Twp. Fire Hall, Route 106; horticultural therapist Janelle Zigon program on pumpkin centerpiece; bring scissors, flower clippers; charge not to exceed $10 for supplies; Christmas party, Dec. 13, 6 p.m., Crystal Pines, cocktails, dinner, $25; donations taken at the party for Salvation Army Angel Tree program; club details, membership chairwoman, Louise Guszick, 570-446-9026, lmguszick@aol.com.

Dickson City

Craft fair: Cub Pack 21, sponsored by St. Mary’s Church, holiday craft fair, Nov. 12, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., St. Mary’s parish center, vendors, bake sale, lunch, $1/admission; vendors space information, Sarah Kovolenus, 570-840-5915.

Dunmore

Paint night: Dunmore High School Music Boosters second annual paint night with local artist Bonnie Black-Edwards, Nov. 12, 6 p.m., Dunmore VFW, Chest­nut Street; Lesly, 570-862-9528, or Lee, 570-309-9823.

Duryea

Authority meeting: Duryea Borough Sewer Authority meeting, Monday, 6 p.m., Municipal Building.

Hamlin

Veterans dinner: Hamlin Fire and Rescue Company Veterans Appreciation Dinner, Nov. 12, 4-7 p.m., bingo hall, free/veterans, $7/guests; 570-815-8286.

Hawley

Outreach visit: Disability advocate Bob Fox, NEPA Center for Independent Living at Sen. Lisa Baker’s Hawley office, Nov. 9, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Lake Wal­len­­paupack Visitors Center, 2512 Route 6, lower level; assisting individuals with disabilities 18 and older, on servi­ces including attendant care, transportation, employment, skills training, peer counseling, home modification and community integration; 570-226-5960.

Jermyn

Historical concert: Black Sage Project Historical Concert event, Nov. 19, 7-9 p.m., Jermyn His­tor­ical Society, 440 Jefferson Ave.; Celtic, bluegrass; $10/adult; $5/students, free/children under 7.

Jessup

Turkey trot: Cancertacular 5K Walk/Run Turkey Trot, Nov. 19, race day registration, 8-9:15 a.m., Memorial Park, $20, free registration to childhood cancer survivors, first 100 registrants receive free T-shirt, online registration ends Nov. 16, 11:59 p.m., helps children/their families affected by cancer in NEPA; scrantonrunning.com.

Justus

Gospel music: Gospel music entertainment featuring Paul Kester, Tom Gentry and Burrell Deats, Friday, 7 p.m., Mount Bethel Baptist Church, 1341 Layton Road, free-will offering, refreshments follow, proceeds split between Anna Young’s Prison Ministry and Joseph’s Hope Ministry.

Lackawanna County

Champion reception: Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeastern Pennsylvania annual Champion of Youth Reception, Nov. 10, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Glenmaura National Golf Club in Moosic; honoring Tom Donohue, Lamar Advertising general manager; Highland Associates represented by Christopher Police, design architect; Erwin T. Kost Jr., Kost Tire & Auto Service; Michael J. and Beverly Walsh, Walsh Electrical Inc.; sponsorship, program booklet ads, tickets, details: Julianne Cucura, development director, 570-342-8709, ext. 110, or jcucura@bgcnepa.org.

Character ball: Lackawanna County Library System Charac­ter Ball for teens Nov. 18, 7-9 p.m., Albright Memorial Library, 500 Vine St., Scranton, Star Wars theme, dancing, music by Tech Shop DJs, trivia games, photo booth, 501st Legion in full Star Wars costumes, refresh­ments, costumes encouraged but not required, free with a Lackawanna County Library System library card.

Benefit concert: Lackawanna River Conservation Association second Rock ’N the River benefit concert, Friday, 6-11 p.m., Hilton Scranton and Conference Center, 100 Adams Ave., Scran­ton; $15/advance, $20/at door (cash only); http://rockntheriv

er2016.eventbrite.com or 570-347-6311.

Pancake breakfast: Pancake and sausage breakfast and basket raffle to benefit the Friends of the Poor Monsignor Anthony C. Marra Memorial Fund, Satur­day, 8-10 a.m., Applebee’s, View­mont Mall; $7/adults, $4/under 10; Toni DiVizio, 570-344-2388 or Mary Ann Coviello, 570-344 3737.

Anniversary 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 teas (including Chai), $18/Oneg; payable to Temple Hesed, 1 Knox Road, Scranton, PA 18505, write “Fid­dler” in check memo, paid reservation deadline, Friday; Mich­ael Krakow, 570-698-9815 or Temple Hesed, 570-344-7201.

Fundraising event: NAMI sixth annual Evening of Hope, Thurs­day, 6 p.m., DeNaples Center, University of Scranton, $55, basket raffle, highlights local mental health issues, benefits area mental health programs; donation checks to “NAMI PA: Scranton,” NAMI PA Scranton & Northeast Region, 846 Jeffer­son Ave., Scranton, PA 18510; www.namipascranton.org or 570-342-1047.

Peckville

Wilson meetings: Wilson Fire Company 1 changing to one meeting, first Mondays, 7 p.m., officer nominations scheduled Monday, company rooms, Erie Street, officer election, Dec. 5, 7 p.m.

Special service: Peckville United Methodist Church will celebrate All Saints Sunday service of Memorials of family and friends of the church, Sunday, 11 a.m.

Pittston

Chicken dinner: St. Michael’s Byzantine Catholic Church, stuffed chicken breast dinner Nov. 13, the Feast of St. Mich­ael, 1-3 p.m., church hall, 205 N. Main St.; takeouts, noon-1 p.m.; raffle; $dinner tickets, 10/adults, $6/children, available in the hall; 570-654-4564.

Prayer concert: Churches of the Greater Pittston Evangelical Ministerium community “Con­cert of Prayer,” Nov. 13, 2 p.m., Christian and Missionary Alli­ance Church, 317 Luzerne Ave., West Pittston; time to pray publicly; 570-654-2500 or Cmawp.Com.

Church events: Christian And Missionary Alliance Church, family movie night, Nov. 11, 7 p.m., showing, “God’s Not Dead — 2”; free, Youth Ministries intermission concession; Storytime Saturdays, Nov. 12 and 26, 10-11 a.m., ages 2-8, (2-5 must be accompanied by adult) singing, stories, crafts, snacks, preregistration, details, church office, 570-654-2500.

Regional

Anniversary dinner: Northeast­ern Pennsylvania Reading Asso­ciation 50th anniversary dinner Saturday, 5-10 p.m., Hilton Scranton & Conference Center, Michael Soskil, finalist for the Global Teacher Award, speaking; details: 570-842-8559.

Scranton

Harvest dinner: St. Vladimir Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church annual harvest dinner, Nov. 20, 12:30 p.m., parish center, 428 N. Seventh Ave., roast beef, mashed potatoes, gravy, hot vegetables, dinner rolls, dessert, coffee, tea and beverages; takeouts 11:30 a.m.-noon; basket of cheer/50/50 raffles; advance only tickets, adults/

$13; 6- to 12-year-olds/$8, ages 5 and under, free; reservations close Nov. 13, call Dorothy Fleck, 570-346-4164.

Beef dinner: Mary, Mother of God Parish’s roast beef dinner, Sunday, noon-4 p.m., Stirna’s Restaurant, 120 W. Market St., takeouts available, adults/$10 advance, $12/door, children 10 and under/$5; rectory, 316 William St., 570-342-4881.

DPW schedule: Department of Public Works closed Election Day, Tuesday, and Veterans Day, Nov. 14; garbage and blue recycling and refuse and leaf pickup, day late, respectively; Nov. 15-19, picking up leaves instead of newspapers; leaves should be bagged.

Recovery film: Scranton Chap­ter of Young People in Recovery film showing, “Generation Found,” Nov. 15, 7:30 p.m., Dickson City Stadium 14 & Imax, 3909 Commerce Boule­vard, Dickson City; $11, register online at http://gathr.us/screen

ing/18299; 60 reservations needed by Thursday; JoAnn Saffel at yprsaffel@gmail.com, 570-575-0816, Yolanda Battag­lia, scrantonpa@youngpeoplein

recovery.org.

Scholarship auction: Scranton Business and Professional Women auction Nov. 16, 6 p.m., Radisson at Lackawanna Sta­tion hotel; supports scholarship recipient, full dinner, action; $23, advance reservation required, contact Lynn Volk, 570-575-4477.

Susquehanna County

Landowners meet: Susque­hanna County Forest Land Owners Association’s annual meeting Nov. 19, doors open, 6:15 p.m., Harford Volunteer Fire Company Fire Hall; social time/ finger food, 6:30 p.m., roast beef dinner, 7 p.m., private consulting forester Robert Hobbes Jr. speaking on his 2016 trip to Alaska; reservations, $20 by Nov. 15, limited to 70, with: Doug Sheldon, SCFLOA Treasurer, 1115 Potter Hill Road, Thompson, PA 18465; 570-906-0913; email: dougshe

ldon@gmail.com, SCFLOA annual dinner in subject line.

Taylor

Club meeting: R&L Civic Club meeting Friday, 8: p.m., St. George’s Hall.

Valley View

School District

Pie/poinsettia sale: Friends of Cougar Baseball Booster Club’s pie/poinsettia fundraiser order deadline, Nov. 11; voucher pickup, Nov. 17, 5-7 p.m., high school library; order from members or 570-876-0282.

West Scranton

Pasta dinner: Women’s Society of St. Joseph Melkite Church pasta dinner, Thursday, church hall, North St. Frances Cabrini Avenue; takeouts, 4 p.m., dinner served, 5-8 p.m.; $9/adults, $4/ages 5-10, from parishioners or at door; 570-343-6092, melkite.scranton@gmail.com, Facebook or melkitescranton.org.

Wyoming County

Outreach visits: Office of Rep. Karen Boback, R-117, Harveys Lake, (Lackawanna/Luzerne/Wyoming) outreach and satellite hours: mobile vet center, Mon­day, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Ace Hard­ware-Brady and Cavany Store parking lot, Eaton Twp.; Ameri­can Legion rep, today, Center for Indepen­dent Living rep, Nov. 15, by appointment only (call 570-836-4777), caseworker for U.S. Rep.Lou Barletta (R-Hazleton), Nov. 21, all 10 a.m.-noon; and Scran­ton Small Business Devel­op­ment Center representative, Nov. 21, noon-2 p.m., all Tunk­hannock district office, 133 West Tioga St. Suite 4; RepBoback.com.

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.