Singer Bryan Adams will perform June 13 at Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza, the arena announced this morning.
The show is a joint production between the Wilkes-Barre Township arena and the F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts in Wilkes-Barre.
The singer, known for hits like "Summer of 69" and "Heaven," last appeared in the area in 2013 for an acoustic show at the Kirby Center.
Tickets go on sale Friday, March 3, at 10 a.m.
For more, visit mohegansunarenapa.com or kirbycenter.org.
According to a release issued by PennDOT, the following closure is now open:
Dunmore – There is a single lane closuere on I-81 south between exit 185 (Central Scranton Expressway) to exit 183 (Davis St/ Montage Mountain Rd) due to a vehicle crash. Motorist should use alternate routes when travelling in the area.
The Times Leader’s parent company contacted law enforcement after an employee released federal W-2 forms to a person posing as a company officer, the apparent victim of a scam, according a letter from the company to its employees.
Civitas Media, the North Carolina-based company that also owns the Abington Journal and The Sunday Dispatch in Pittston, said a worker was targeted by an email scam called “spoofing,” in which an email is created from a forged sender address.
Earlier this month, Civitas reported it received “disturbing information” that a fraudulent tax return may have been filed on behalf of an employee using a W-2 form obtained through the scam. A W-2 form includes a person’s name, address, yearly earnings, taxes paid and Social Security number.
The recipient of the “spoof” believed it was a valid request from a senior executive and forwarded the tax documents, according to the letter. It was unclear how many W-2 forms were sent.
An investigation was conducted and the “spoof” was discovered, the letter said.
Attempts to reach Mike Murray, publisher of the Times Leader Media Group, by phone and email were unsuccessful, and a woman who answered the phone at Civitas’ corporate office in North Carolina would not comment.
Within 48 hours of discovering it, Civitas took steps to provide employees with an identity protection product offered by Experian, a national credit bureau. Civitas arranged for Experian to provide fraud resolution protection and credit monitoring for two years at no cost.
“We have also contacted law enforcement and will cooperate with any investigation,” the letter states.
Contact the writer:
dallabaugh@citizensvoice.com
Following announcement of Hillary Clinton as the keynote speaker, the 19th annual Society of Irish Women St. Patrick’s Day dinner promptly sold out.
News broke Wednesday night of the former Secretary of State and presidential candidate’s return to Scranton for the March 17 celebration at Hilton Scranton and Conference Center. Immediately, recording secretary Mariann Moran’s phone lit up with a string of calls that didn’t stop for two days.
By early Thursday afternoon, reservations were closed. The calls continue today through to Moran’s two phone lines, as early as 6 a.m. She said she fielded “hundreds and hundreds” of ticket requests.
To accommodate guests, an overflow room has been established which will show Clinton’s address over a satellite monitor and speaker system, and many ticketholders will be seated there, Moran said. The already packed main room lost table space to make way for press risers from numerous news outlets that contacted the society to cover the event, including CNN and the Associated Press.
Moran estimated the final count will be close to 600 people, with more than 230 people on a waiting list. It is the largest audience the society will have hosted, with credit due to Clinton’s star power, she said.
“She had a very strong showing (in the election) in this area, and I think people see it now,” Moran said. “Two weeks ago, we had no problems with reservations, but once it came out, that was it — everyone wanted in.”
Contact the writer: pwilding@timesshamrock.com, @pwildingTT on Twitter
A local lawmaker plans to introduce legislation that could give school districts pension relief.
At his annual legislative breakfast, Sen. John Blake, D-22, Archbald, told attendees his plan would save schools $80 million immediately.
While Blake is still finalizing details, he may introduce the plan as early as next week. The plan includes refinancing state pension debt, moving the retail portion of the state’s liquor control board to the pension portfolio and offering new employees a defined contribution 401(k) plan or the current option, a defined-benefit plan.
The changes would shift risk away from taxpayers and would affect both the Public School Employees’ Retirement System and the Pennsylvania State Employees’ Retirement System.
“If we’re going to do something, let’s do something responsible,” Blake said.
Local superintendents who attended the breakfast at the Hilton Scranton and Conference Center said they hope Blake’s proposal is heard statewide.
School districts now pay about 30 percent of their total payroll to the pension system. Scranton now contributes about $20 million more annually to the PSERS than in 2011.
“There’s a realization there’s a strain on school districts,” Superintendent Alexis Kirijan, Ed.D. said. said.
The pension cost spike is due mainly to a stock market dive that caused pension fund investment losses and pension boosts enacted in 2001. When investments performed strongly, districts and the state paid little into the system.
“We have to be hopeful,” Abington Heights Superintendent Michael Mahon, Ph.D. said. “The alternative is we’ll have a deterioration of public education.”
Along with educators, area lawmakers and community leaders attended the breakfast, where Blake discussed the state budget, including Gov. Tom Wolf’s proposal to charge a $25 per-capita fee for people living in municipalities receiving full-time state police coverage, and the need to examine more closely property tax reform.
Contact the writer: shofius@timesshamrock.com, @hofiushallTT on Twitter
SCRANTON — A Taylor man accused of killing his wife has been found incompetent to stand trial.
Prosecutors have charged Robert A. Sanchuk, 63, of 903 Prince St., with criminal homicide for the death of his wife, Jill Sanchuk. An autopsy determined the 80-year-old woman died of multiple traumatic injuries to her head, torso and chest.
A judge delayed a preliminary hearing Friday at the request of his attorneys Joseph Kalinowski and Keri Taylor.
First Assistant District Attorney Gene Riccardo said he will ask the court to get Sanchuk mental health treatment so he can be found competent.
He remains in the Lackawanna County Prison without bail.
— PETER CAMERON
SCRANTON — A local businesswoman made a deal tonight on reality television show “Shark Tank.”
Abby Speicher, founder of DARTdrones in Jessup, convinced billionaire businessman Mark Cuban to invest in her business, which teaches commercial and government clients, as well as hobbyists, how to pilot radio controlled aircraft, commonly called drones. The company was founded in 2014.
Her pitch, which aired tonight, included footage of drone crashes and a short demonstration. She said DART employs 22 flight instructors who offer classes across the country. After, Mr. Cuban offered her $300,000 for a 10 percent stake in the company.
Speicher did not return phone calls seeking comment late tonight
— STAFF REPORT
GREENFIELD TWP. — State police are seeking help in tracking down a driver who struck and killed a man on the shoulder of Interstate 81 South in October.
Around 12:15 p.m. Oct. 18, three men were changing a tire along the western shoulder of the highway in Greenfield Twp. A commercial vehicle drifted onto the shoulder, striking and killing John Fiore of Clay, New York. The vehicle also struck a utility trailer next to the men, leaving a streak of red paint.
On Friday, state police investigating the wreck said they believe the vehicle to be a red car carrier, in part because of the height of the paint transfer. Investigators believe the vehicle was traveling from or through the Binghamton, New York area.
Anyone with information can call state police at 570-963-3156.
— STAFF WRITER
Abington Heights
School District
Kindergarten registration: Abington Heights kindergarten registration: March 6, Clarks Summit, 401 W. Grove St., 570-585-7300; March 7, Waverly, 103 Waverly Road, 570-585-6300; and Newton-Ransom Elementary, 1549 Newton-Ransom Blvd., 570-585-8300; March 8, South Abington, 640 Northern Blvd., 570-585-2100; must be 5 by Aug. 31, birth certificate, proof of residency, immunization records required.
Archbald
Group meets: Archbald Borough Hometown Heroes Banner Program meeting, March 13, 6:30 p.m., Borough Building, 400 Church St.
Carbondale
Food sale: Knights of Columbus Carbondale Council 329 takeout-only homemade cabbage and noodles and Manhattan clam chowder sale, Ash Wednesday and Fridays during Lent (except Good Friday), noon-6 p.m., St. Rose Family Center, $6/quart or $3/pint.
Dunmore
Pizza fritta: St. Rocco’s Church Ash Wednesday pizza fritta sale, March 1, pickup times, noon and 3:30 p.m., 118 Kurtz St., Dunmore; $1.25, 5/$5; preorder recommended; Nancy Magnotta, 570-343-4978 by Sunday, walk-ins welcome, quantities limited.
East Benton
Pancake/sausage supper: East Benton United Methodist Church Shrove (Fat) Tuesday all-you-can-eat pancake and sausage supper, Tuesday, 4-7 p.m., 200 Jordan Hollow Road, $7/adults and $4/under 12, at door.
Lackawanna County
Auxiliary meeting: Scranton/Dunmore Fraternal Order of Police Auxiliary E.B. Jermyn 2 meeting, Monday, 6 p.m., lodge, 401 Railroad Ave.
Community chat: Scranton Chapter of Young People in Recovery community chat, Monday, 6:30 p.m., Peckville Assembly of God Church, 3364 Business Route 6, Blakely, free light refreshments; Yolanda Battaglia, 570-903-8700 or scrantonpa@youngpeopleinre
covery.org.
Mayfield
Bookmobile visit: Lackawanna County Bookmobile visit, Monday, 1:15-1:45 p.m., Municipal Building, 739 Penn Ave.
Regional
Diabetes program: The Wright Center for Primary Care program, “Wright Steps for Healthy Living,” March 16, 23 and 30, 10 a.m.-noon; April 3, 10 and 24, 1-3 p.m.; March 14, 21 and 28, 6-8 p.m.; and April 11, 18 and 25, 6-8 p.m., The Wright Center for Primary Care Mid Valley, 5 S. Washington Ave., Jermyn; 570-230-0019; Saturday sessions available upon request.
Scranton
Pierogi sale: St. Vladimir Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church Lenten potato and cheese pierogi sale, March 4, 2-6 p.m., parish center, 428 N. Seventh Ave.; freshly made; $7/dozen, order by Sunday: Leslie Izak, 570-342-3749.
Wayne County
Food pantry: Wayne County Food Pantry Program schedule:
Newfoundland area, March 10, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Newfoundland Moravian Church, emergency need, 570-689-0574.
Honesdale area, March 14, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., behind Tri-County Beverage Building, Honesdale, emergency need, social services agency.
Lakewood area, March 15, 12:30-2:30 p.m., Northern Wayne Family Health Center, emergency need, 570-798-2229.
Damascus area, Township Building, March 16, 1-3 p.m., emergency need, 570-224-4217 or 570-224-4189.
Lakeville area, March 23, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Paupack Twp. Municipal Building, emergency need, 570-352-6177 or 570-226-3115.
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.
Judge Vito Geroulo sentenced the following defendants recently in Lackawanna County Court:
■ Anthony Glover, 43, 153 Reynolds St., Plymouth, to time served (340 days) to 22 months in county jail and three months of probation for possession of a controlled substance.
■ Raheem D. Wiggins-Smith, 28, 3027 N. Sydenham St., Philadelphia, to a $200 fine for driving without a license.
■ Jahsiah Laborde, 19, Dunmore, to 11 to 23½ months in county jail and one year of probation for conspiracy to commit simple assault and reckless endangerment.
■ Christopher Steinhauer, 27, 59 Grove St., Carbondale, to one year of probation for theft by unlawful taking.
■ Shane Michael Munley, 27, 309 Spring St., Archbald, to six months of court supervision including five days of house arrest and a $300 fine for DUI - tier one, second offense.
■ Timothy Adam Tanana-Nye, 24, 134 Lemon St., Lancaster, to six months of probation and a $300 fine for DUI - tier one, first offense.
■ Spencer James Wahl, 28, 15 Bavarian Hill Road, Beach Lake, to a $1,000 fine for DUI - tier three, first offense.
■ Jennifer Wertz, 60, 155 Keen Lake Road, 30 Camp Court, Waymart, to two years of probation for reckless endangerment.
■ Jennifer L. Hewitt, 30, 228 Walnut St., Moosic, to 11 months of court supervision, including 162 days of house arrest and $2,500 in fines for two DUI convictions.
■ Rose M. Gutknecht, 32, 1002 Rear Ridge St., Olyphant, to one year of probation for promoting prostitution.
■ Kevin Guzman, 23, 1508 Prospect Ave., Scranton, to nine months of probation for possession of drug paraphernalia.
■ Robert Brian Mapps, 22, 104 McKee Drive, Tafton, to six months of probation for possession of drug paraphernalia.
■ Eric Paul Sanchez, 25, 26 2A Crown Circle Drive, Scranton, to 33 to 77 months in state prison for possession with intent to deliver and criminal attempt possession with intent to deliver.
■ Keith Havenstrite Jr., 26, Madison Twp., to nine to 29½ months in state prison, one year of probation and $739.18 in restitution for retail theft and theft by unlawful taking.
Judge Margaret Bisignani Moyle sentenced:
■ Raymond Lyman, 49, 314 Phelps St., Scranton, to 90 days in county jail (suspended sentence) for theft by unlawful taking.
■ Jahquel Reynolds, 19, 809 Myrtle St., Scranton, to time served (58 days) to 18 months in county jail and three months of probation for receiving stolen property and delivery of a controlled substance.
■ Matthew Strackbein, 29, 216 Poplar St., Dickson City, to nine to 23½ months in county jail and two months of probation for criminal use of a communication facility.
■ Joseph Williams, 20, 1830 Price St., Scranton, to time served (34 days) to 23½ months in county jail and two years of probation for criminal trespass.
■ Renee Ann Colon, 48, 1419 Cedar Ave., Scranton, to six to 23½ months in county jail and two years of probation for simple assault.
■ Thomas Scally, 41, 47 E. Columbus Ave., Pittston, to time served (35 days) in county jail for harassment.
■ Michele M. Kazmierczak, 48, to five days to six months in county jail, 90 days of probation for public drunkenness and a $300 fine for DUI - first offense.
■ Aaron Lawrence Camacho, 39, 1144 Sloan St., Scranton, to 90 days in county jail
(suspended sentence) for
harassment.
■ Crystal Dexter, 33, 211 Lackawanna Ave., Olyphant, to four years of probation and $2,826 in restitution for theft by unlawful taking.
■ Kizzy Henry, 37, 1820 Division St., Scranton, to 30 days in county jail (suspended sentence) for bad checks.
■ Christopher Michael Sunday, 34, 16 E. Lake Road, Moscow, to time served (50 days) to 23½ months in county jail and 90 days of probation for harassment.
■ David Edwards, 26, 1165 Loomis Ave., Taylor, to time served (52 days) to 23½ months in county jail for simple assault.
■ Stephen Buckley, 33, 449 Phelps St., Scranton, to time served (nine days) to 23½ months in county jail and one year of probation for terroristic threats.
■ George Wright, 42, 215 E. Drinker St., Dunmore, to time served (80 days) to 23½ months in county jail and three years of probation for possession with intent to deliver and deposits, stores, disposes chemical waste.
Judge Michael Barrasse
sentenced:
■ Marisa Alonso, 47, Old Forge, to three years of court supervision including two months of house arrest for retail theft.
■ Patrick Cawley, 25, 1138 Rock St., Scranton, to five years of court supervision including time served (90 days) in county jail, 90 days of work release, 90 days of house arrest and a $1,500 fine for DUI - tier three, second offense.
■ Latoya Crystal Knight, 31, 807 S. Ninth St., Scranton, to six months of court supervision including two months of house arrest and a $1,000 fine for DUI - tier three, first offense.
■ Kelly S. Parker, 43, 408 Foote St., Dunmore, to two years of probation for harassment and disorderly conduct.
■ David M. Pope, 24, 308 Railroad Ave., Scranton, to two months to one year in county jail and $1,104.52 in restitution for accidents involving damage to attended vehicle.
■ David Kelly, 28, Scranton, to one year to 23½ months in county jail, six years of probation, a $1,500 fine and $300 in restitution for disorderly conduct, escape, robbery and DUI - second offense, tier three.
■ Robert Fritz Randall, 24, 200 Bethel Loop, Brooklyn, New York, to time served (28 days) to six months in county jail for possession of drug paraphernalia.
■ Lorrie Ann Evans Parsons, 46, 12 Washington St., Tunkhannock, to two years of probation for forgery.
Judge James Gibbons
sentenced:
■ Chas Robert Thomas, 22, 807 S. Ninth Ave., Scranton, to time served (91 days) in county jail for contempt for violation of court order.
As President Donald Trump won Pennsylvania in November, his followers also fastened a target on U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright.
Only seven weeks into his third term representing the 17th Congressional District, the Moosic Democrat is on the radar of Republicans outside the region who want to expand their party’s 45-vote House majority by ousting him from office.
They already started attacking him, partly because they know Trump dominated the presidential vote in the 17th District.
The American Action Network, a Washington, D.C.-based conservative nonprofit “social welfare” group, bought local television commercials that criticized Cartwright for supporting the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare.
“Tell congressman Cartwright to replace Obamacare with the better health care that we deserve,” the commercial’s narrator says.
The group spent $17,210 on 68 TV commercials that aired on WNEP and its sister station, WNEP2, WBRE, WYOU and WOLF. The commercials aired mostly during local newscasts during the first two weeks of February.
Two weeks ago, as the commercials still aired, the National Republican Congressional Committee, which helps elect Republicans to the House, announced the names of 36 Democratic House members it hopes to unseat in the 2018 federal elections. Only one Pennsylvania lawmaker is on its list: Cartwright.
NRCC spokesman Jesse Hunt said he expects the group to actively recruit challengers to Cartwright.
“I envision us making a strong push there, given the demographics and competitive nature of the district without really major attention given to the race,” Hunt said.
Mainly, Republicans see weakness in Cartwright’s election numbers.
Cartwright won election in 2012 by defeating future Republican Lackawanna County Commissioner Laureen Cummings by more than 20 percentage points. Since then, he won re-election twice, each time by smaller margins, even though neither Republican opponent conducted an aggressive, well-funded campaign.
In 2014, he defeated Schuylkill County Coroner David Moylan by 13.5 percentage points. Moylan spent $93,600 on the campaign compared to Cartwright’s $878,616, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, a Washington-based tracker of congressional campaign spending.
Last year, Cartwright defeated real-estate developer/contractor Matt Connolly of Bethlehem Twp. in Northampton County by only 7.6 points. In 2014, Connolly couldn’t even beat Moylan in the Republican primary. Last year, running as a staunch conservative, Connolly defeated the better funded businessman Glenn Geissinger, a Northampton County councilman in the primary before facing Cartwright. Overall, Connolly spent only $31,000 to Cartwright’s $859,000.
In 2012, when Cartwright first won election, Democratic President Barack Obama beat Republican Mitt Romney in the 17th district by 55 percent to 43 percent. Last year, as Cartwright’s winning margin narrowed again, Trump won the district by 11.7 percentage points.
That happened even though the 17th District has about five Democrats for every three Republicans.
Democrats occupy only five of Pennsylvania’s 18 House seats, but Cartwright’s was the only Democratic district Trump won. He lost the other four — all in and around Philadelphia and Pittsburgh — by at least 32 points each.
“On paper, if you just look at the presidential results, it looks like they have a Democratic representative squatting in a Republican congressional district,” Cartwright said. “You don’t have to go too much deeper to see what the (real) story is. People know that the things I talk about, the things that I care about and the things that I work on, the priorities are jobs and the economy, protecting and preserving Social Security and Medicare, standing up for our veterans and keeping America’s national defense secure. Those all happen to be themes that President Trump talked about a lot during his campaign and I would suggest that he did a better job of communicating than his opponent.”
Cartwright, who has long supported the Affordable Care Act but also said repeatedly it needs tweaking, continues to support the law because it expanded Medicaid to 300,000 uninsured Pennsylvanians and ensures at least some compensation for hospitals that care for people who couldn’t afford to pay for care otherwise.
“It’s keeping rural and community hospitals afloat,” he said. “They serve poorer people.”
He plans to continue to prepare for his elections as before, calling all his previous opponents worthy.
“Getting re-elected is not a big worry for me. What I worry about is making a good account of myself in Congress,” Cartwright said.
Though Trump showed the candidate with the most money doesn’t always win, any Republican who runs against Cartwright will face a fundraising powerhouse. He had $561,068 cash on hand at the end of last year.
Of course, Republicans can’t take on Cartwright if they can’t find a candidate. So far, no one has emerged, though it’s early. Republican consultant Vince Galko, who managed U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta’s campaigns, said the NRCC and its Democratic counterpart, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, only are starting to determine which congressional races on which to spend their money.
By next year, Cartwright’s seat might drop off the radar. The DCCC announced 20 targets, including three suburban Philadelphia seats held by Republicans.
“Both committees are casting wide nets right now,” Galko said. “They will adjust as 2018 approaches. It’s a chess match. The more you can make the other side play defense, the less they can attack you.”
The 17th Congressional District includes Scranton, most of the Carbondale area, the Midvalley and the Downvalley in Lackawanna County, most of the towns in the Wilkes-Barre, Pittston Area and Wyoming Area school districts in Luzerne County; part of Monroe County, and all or parts of three other counties.
Contact the writer:
bkrawczeniuk@timesshamrock.com
ITHACA COLLEGE
Meghan Beahan, South Abington Twp.; Gracee Bulger-Oakley, Brackney; Gianna Caputo, Covington Twp.; Samantha Frailey, Great Bend; Sonya Griffiths, Springville; Kristen Karaliunas, Covington Twp.; Nicole Kimmell, Montrose; Jamie Loughney, Clarks Summit; Rachel Smertz, Clarks Summit; Rachael Smith, Milford; Eric Stamer, Tunkhannock; Owen Walsh, Honesdale; and Casey Wrobel, Clarks Summit.
LOYOLA UNIVERSITY, MARYLAND
Melissa Becker, Moosic; Jade Cesarini, Spring Brook Twp.; Daniel Horvath, Clarks Summit; Alyssa Hubal, Thompson; Rachel Kennedy, Scranton; Jessica Regan, Archbald; Madeline Rose, Scranton; William Temples, Scranton; Michael Voitek, Exeter; Zachary Voitek, West Pittston
UNIVERSITY
OF MARYLAND
Scott Kearney, Archbald
Demoted for what his bosses said was insubordination, doing a lousy job and mistreating and retaliating against employees, the Lackawanna County Housing Authority’s former executive director wants his job back.
James A. Dartt, whom the board returned to the assistant maintenance supervisor job he once held, is asking the state Civil Service Commission to reinstate him to the top job, according to a copy of his appeal to the commission, which was among several demotion-related documents obtained by The Times-Tribune.
Dartt, 55, a Republican who lives in Dunmore, alleges the authority demoted him without just cause, because of his age and political affiliation and without giving him a fair chance to challenge allegations made against him during an authority internal investigation.
The appeal says the authority board “continually harassed and bullied Dartt.”
“During the investigation, Dartt was not provided with any specifics as to the charges,” his appeal says. “Likewise, the board did not and could not identify any specific policy or rule that Dartt violated and instead asserted without specifics or basis a generalized claim of abuse of some undefined policy. In fact, Dartt fully executed his duties as executive director and did not violate any authority policy regarding insubordination, neglect of duties and/or poor job performance.”
Authority solicitor Gerard Karam confirmed Dartt appealed his demotion and denied age and political affiliation had anything to do with it. Authority officials previously said they hosted a hearing where Dartt was allowed to bring a lawyer and defend himself.
The Civil Service Commission had a hearing scheduled for last Wednesday and Thursday in a Lackawanna County courtroom, but postponed it when the authority and Dartt’s lawyer decided to try to resolve the case first, Karam said. The hearing has not been rescheduled.
Karam declined to comment on potential resolution discussions. Efforts to reach Dartt and his lawyer, Pittsburgh-based attorney Paul S. Mazeski, were unsuccessful.
An earlier authority board promoted Dartt from assistant maintenance supervisor to acting deputy executive director in February 2006. Because the previous deputy at the time had left and the executive director was out sick, Dartt effectively began running the authority then. He was later officially named executive director.
The authority board voted 4-0 on Oct. 3 to demote Dartt. Board chairman Paul Walker and members Chris Patrick, Joseph Incelli and David Bisignani voted yes. Board member Thomas Hallinan was absent. Patrick is chairman of the county Democratic Party. Walker, Bisignani and Incelli are Democrats and Walker is the first cousin of County Commissioner Jerry Notarianni. Hallinan is a Democrat who knows Dartt well because of a community project that honors their deceased daughters.
Dartt appealed his demotion Oct. 17.
Though he claims he did nothing to warrant his demotion, an email obtained by The Times-Tribune outlines in more detail than previously available why he was demoted.
The email is from Karam to Dartt’s previous lawyer, attorney Brian Cali, and an associate in Cali’s law firm. Karam, who did not provide the appeal and email to the newspaper, declined to comment on its contents.
On the claim of insubordination, Karam wrote that Walker outlined the insubordination in a Sept. 15 letter to Cali, but gave no more detail in the email.
“The board found Mr. Dartt’s written and oral responses to all of the insubordination charges to be contrary to the evidence, lacking credibility and in some instances simply untrue,” Karam wrote.
The email says many employees reported Dartt treated them disrespectfully and unprofessionally by “frequently yelling, screaming and cursing at them,” and failed to meaningfully communicate with the deputy executive director for months.
“This is evidence of poor communication, poor management and poor leadership as well as failure to perform your supervisory functions in a competent and satisfactory manner,” Karam wrote.
Dartt also failed to back up managers who followed authority policies and “took duties away from employees.”
“This conduct created a very low morale amongst most employees who by most accounts have no confidence in Mr. Dartt’s leadership and management abilities,” Karam wrote.
Dartt also failed to post job openings when required, retaliated against a female employee for the role she played in an internal investigation and took unspecified improper actions raised by another employee, the email states. Those actions are not detailed further.
Contact the writer:
bkrawczeniuk@timesshamrock.com
For what is believed to be the first time in Luzerne County history, prosecutors are considering filing criminal charges against drug dealers in connection with several fatal overdoses.
Of the 23 confirmed and suspected overdoses so far this year, prosecutors have requested that the coroner’s office order an autopsy in three in hopes of mounting a case against the suspected drug peddler who sold the fatal dose, officials said.
The pursuit of criminal charges in drug deaths is new because of a state Superior Court ruling that said prosecutors no longer have to prove a drug dealer acted with malice and intended to kill the user, according to Luzerne County First Assistant District Attorney Sam Sanguedolce.
“The old law required us to prove, essentially, that the drug dealer acted with malice and it was his intent to kill the person. That’s usually not the case. It’s their intent to sell drugs and make money,” Sanguedolce said. “The very act of delivering drugs, knowing how dangerous they are, is now sufficient.”
The felony charge of drug delivery resulting in death carries a maximum punishment of 40 years in prison, making it equivalent to the penalty for third-degree murder.
Pursuing charges against a dealer still remains difficult, Sanguedolce said.
He noted many times an overdose victim has multiple drugs from multiple dealers in his or her system and there’s no way to tell what drug was responsible for the death.
“They are still extremely difficult cases to prove. You have to prove who the dealer was and if it was those drugs that caused the death,” Sanguedolce said. “It made it easier for us, but it’s still not easy.”
Prosecutors recently thought they had a solid case against one dealer, but then the overdose victim’s toxicology results determined he had a lethal mix of drugs in his system, Sanguedolce said.
Following a record number of drug overdose deaths in 2016, Luzerne County Council dedicated an additional $50,000 to the coroner’s office budget this year solely for autopsies in overdose cases where a prosecution is possible.
Contact the writer:
bkalinowski@citizensvoice.com
@cvbobkal on twitter
“We’re going to keep after it and do what we can to bring justice to the people who are dealing this poison and killing our residents,” Sanguedolce said.
Luzerne County Coroner Bill Lisman said the county can’t reasonably conduct an autopsy on every drug overdose victim, but will schedule one if investigators have a possible case against a drug dealer.
Right now, his office is holding onto the bodies of suspected overdose victims for 48 to 72 hours until the police investigation is complete in case an autopsy is warranted.
Lisman praised county council for raising his autopsy budget from $110,000 to $160,000 this year, while also increasing his toxicology testing budget from $45,000 to $60,000 in direct response to the overdose crisis in the county.
“The county council in mass, each and everyone of them, was in total support for what I was requesting,” Lisman said. “They realized this was a small first step in combatting what is going on with drug overdoses.”
Lisman noted each autopsy costs about $2,000 and each toxicology testing kit costs $265.
The testing will play a crucial role in whether a drug dealer will face prosecution, which is a new concept to Lisman, who has been with the coroner’s office since 1975.
“In all my years, we never prosecuted someone,” Lisman said.
Lisman said he looks forward to reporting back to county council and hopes to have good news. In the meantime, he said he’ll continue to work with prosecutors in case they follow through with charges in the three open cases.
“The district attorney’s office might get three convictions or they might get nothing,” Lisman said. “But we’re going nowhere without the autopsy.”
bkalinowski@citizensvoice.com
570-821-2055, @cvbobkal
WILKES-BARRE — Several elevator companies that failed to make proper improvements and used substandard equipment are to blame for deaths in the Luzerne County Correctional Facility in 2016, a lawsuit filed Tuesday states.
The estate of LCCF correctional officer Kristopher Moules filed a wrongful death lawsuit against several elevator companies it says knew or should have known about dangerous conditions that led to the fatal incident.
Moules, 25, of Larksville, and inmate Timothy D. Gilliam Jr., 27, of Wilkes-Barre, fell to their deaths following a confrontation on the jail’s fifth floor on July 18, after an elevator door gave way. Moules was trying to handcuff Gilliam when the pair banged against the elevator door, which swung open from its base.
The lawsuit names Schindler Elevator Corporation, Inventio AG, Otis Elevator Company and Nagle Elevator Inspection & Testing LLC as defendants.
The lawsuit alleges that the defendants knew about other incidents involving elevators at the correctional facility when someone or something knocked against a door and it opened in a way it wasn’t supposed to. But none of the defendants began any investigation or repairs after learning of the problems, the suit said.
Instead, the elevator still had inadequate equipment the night of the fatal incident.
WRIGHT TWP. — Police are asking anyone who may have used the women’s bathroom at Luigi’s Pizza in Wright Twp. on Nov. 18 to give them a call.
Luzerne County Detective Charles Balogh said authorities have found another electronic storage device and are attempting to identify more victims who were filmed in the bathroom.
Anyone who used the bathroom on that November day is asked to call Wright Twp. police at 570-474-9251.
The investigation is an extension of the one that led police this week to charge Juan B. Prieto, 42, of Hazleton, with counts of child pornography and invasion of privacy.
Police say Prieto filmed women and children through a ceiling in the restroom of the pizza shop on South Mountain Boulevard.
ESTATE NOTICES
■ Irene Belcher, 91 Prout Lane, New Milford; letters testamentary to James Belcher, 91 Prout Lane, New Milford.
■ Gerald Conboy, 14445 Route 267, Montrose; letters testamentary to Deborah Purtell, 2896 Williams Road, Little Meadows.
PROPERTY TRANSFERS
■ Elbert and Linda Seamans to Mark and Jennifer Seamans, a property in Harford Twp. for $30,000.
■ Robert and Antoinette Curry to Philip and Katherine Donegan, a property in Ararat Twp. for $110,000.
■ Stephen and Amy Smyk to James and Sarah Gollmer, a property in Silver Lake Twp. for $280,000.
■ Georgia MacNeal to Wendy Bryant, a property in Hallstead for $77,000.
■ LSF8 Master Participation Trust (by attorney), Caliber Real Estate Services LLC to John and James Mulherin, a property in Lenox Twp. for $65,000.
MID VALLEY
SECONDARY CENTER
GRADE 12
High honor roll: Noelle Arcaro, Sierra Batcha, Julia Betti, Heidi Betz, Nicole Bocan, Brittney Cesari-Frable, Rebeca Chieffallo, Larissa Chmielewski, Alissa Chorba, Kristen Chorba, Evan Collins, Jon Dellia, Lucas Demian, Elizabeth Depew, Jesse Doyle, Zachary Fiume, Erica Haefele, Anielly Holt, Regan Hughes, Corey Jackson, Elizabeth Kacer, Emily Kaschak, Alexis Killino, Samantha Kropa, Madison Macknosky, Kirsten Mascaritola, Abigail Mills, Vanessa O’Boyle, Cali Pawelski, Elizabeth Piorkowski, Colleen Politowski, Karamvir Singh, Jessica Slocum, Christina Szymczyk, Nathaniel Taber, Dylan Tackley, James Urso, Amanda Varaksa, Brandon Wallo and Lauren Williams.
Honor roll: Julianna Aulisio, Matthew Brown, Douglas Cooke, Brendan Davies, Brittany Davis, Marianna Gerrity, Anthony Giovagnoli, Robert Gouldsbury, Morgan Grzech, Adam Kasper, Jessica Kasper, Henry Krieg, Justin Kucharski, Xavier Loveras, Miranda Maceyko, Gianna Mackreth, Thomas Malandri, Austin Mizerak, Angel Ortiz, Aaron Polon, Gabriella Rotell, Geoffrey Sekelsky, Colin Spager, Alyssa Tanana and Noah Tanner.
GRADE 11
High honor roll: Alicia Angelo, Michaela Bennett, Nicholas Borgacci, Mia Castellano, Richard Chowanec, Cheyenne Cortazar, Logan Lee DeSanto, Damien Gary, John Glinsky, Kaitlin Griggs, Trevor Hinders, Sarah Johnson, Harshdeep Kahlon, Karissa Kalinoski, Shaun King, Jason Kline, Jessica Kranick, Mateo Lopez, Curtis Maleninsky, Gianna Manzo, Lindsey Marushock, Vanessa Mazur, Lyndsey Medric, Mark Melesky, Ralph Morris, Kali Mulea, Nikohl North-Mozda, Rachael North-Mozda, Selena Olmedo, Lauren Owens, Priya Patel, Madelaine Pegula, Christian Reece, Demitri Reece, Kaylah Richter, Collin Scherer, Devin Seifert, Nicole Sokolowska, Hayley Solensky, Matt Stankiewicz, Tara Tackley, Frank Tanana and Delia Vasquez.
Honor roll: Hope Barrett, Hayley Bondy, John Caines, Zachary Cianflone, Devin DiPasquale, Michael Fedorka, Nicole Fernandes, Luna Gonell, Donald Hartman, Joshua Henneforth, Samantha Jankowski, Elizabeth Keddy, Keondrea Lloyd, Matthew Nemeth, Mia Pawelski, Haylie Ray, John Robbins, Denae Olivia Smith, Kayla Space, Alex VonWeinstein, Katherine Wilson and John Zator.
GRADE 10
High honor roll: Marissa Angelo, Mariah Balendy, Adam Berardelli, Zachary Blau, Katelyn Bosket, Gabriella Cerra, Harry Chinnick, Joshua Darrin, Courtney Davies, Mallory deQuevedo, Nicholas Ferretti, Justin Gohsler, Morgan Haefele, Danielle Ann Jason, Albert Kausmeyer, Alana Kautz, Francis Kocsis, Becca Laboranti, Karah Laboranti, Mark Longo, Michael Ly, Sean MacCallum, Marshall Macknosky, Christopher Marchel, Craig Mercanti, Jason Miller, Emily Morano, Kaia Neu, Angel Novojoski, Vanessa Pruzinsky, Eden Rozing, Haneet Saini, Alyssa Sekelsky, Samantha Shelesky, Caleb Taber, Kyle Tullio, Jacob Vituszynski and Joshua Vituszynski.
Honor roll: Noah Allman, Morgan Bialy, Jasmine Carey, Cassie Castellani, Joseph Chylak, Matthew Fedorka, Kimarah Garner, Julian Hanicak, Colin Hazelton, Katarina Johnson, Brendan Kucharski, Jillian Mackreth, Erica Nemitz, Brandon Repchick, Lawrence Risner, Shane Rosencrans, Felicia Saar, Katrina Schultz, Emma Sherwood, Lindsey Space, Vincent Talluto and Joedlyn Torres.
GRADE 9
High honor roll: Scott Barrett, Samuel Borgacci, Sebastian Brudnicki, Christian Chakiris, Philip Davitt, Ariann Decker, Kacey Durkin, Carly Gambo, Kyle Gerek, Lanie Gray, Meghan Guarino, Jenna Haefele, Lacy Harrington, Christopher Henderson, Derek Holt, Ty Jackson, Christopher Kautz, Michael Miller, Alyssa Moore, Juliette Paynter, Keli Pegula, John Piorkowski, Angel Popko, Zachary Rebar, Therese Reilly, Madison Riccardo, Tyler Santarelli, Sydney Scott, Christopher Talluto, Raileigh Thompson, Natalie Vasileff, Austin Zbach and Shawn Zbach.
Honor roll: Dominic Allan, Natalie Buchinski, Nico Colachino, Patrick Ferke, Abigail Galea, Zachary Hinders, Aaron Killino, Giovanni Lopez, Ryan Mascaro, Brianna Onyshczak, Ryan Patterson, Maive Pawelski, Kyleigh Petcavage, Anastasia Shishlo, Joseph Slish, Nando Ubaldini, Michaela Wall, Legend Wildman and Joshua Zarnowski.
GRADE 8
High honor roll: Matthew Algar, Bria Beggin, Madison Bialy, Gianna Carrera, Laura Cervantes, Damien Chmielewski, Gabrielle Ciborosky, Hailey Davis, Mikayla Dutkiewicz, Lydia Gilpin, Gianna Giumento, Emily Hedglin, Colby Hughes, Abbey Jackson, Daelyn Karboski, Lindsey Kausmeyer, Jennifer Kobylanski, Connor Kocsis, Vanessa Mancuso, Kailee Mazur, Krista Morris, Isabella Oakey, Jessica Pahoski, Ava Perrins, Keira Priest, Christian Riccardo, Sierra Sczesniak, Christian Snee, Gabrielle Snee, Olivia Stein, Jonathan Strelecki, Ciara Strupcewski, Jeremiah Wolo, Jake Yanoski, Maxwell Yarbrough and Emma Yusavage.
Honor roll: Devon Barnauskas, Michael Bennici, Bethany Brown, Skylar Ceccoli-Eiffert, Tyler Covington, Brianna Day, Maria Do Vale, Ember Duke, Gabrielle Dushney, Nicholas Freeswick, Veronica Gonzalez, Donald Healey, Ariana Hutko, Lindsey Jason, Taylor Kostage, Mauri Kurcin, Lucy Lennon, Jamie Nikolopoulos, Tyler O’Connor, Kiersten Perry, Nicholas Politowski, Alec Pruzinsky, Roberto Rosado, Katarina Shishlo, Jason Skumanich, John Tomcho, Aaliyah Turner, Samantha Wilson, Zoe Zelinski and Madison Zielinski.
GRADE 7
High honor roll: Adam Brzozowski, Colin Chapman, Stanley Ciborosky, Justin Clark, Jaime Lee Cortazar, Hayden Davitt, Lilianna Davitt, Anthony DeVoe, Kellen Doughton, Madison Doyle, Robert Drake, Jack Foley, Katherine Glinsky, Emma Kobylanski, Bryce Kramer, Isabella Martin, Logan Matone, Dustin McAllister, Hannah Mills, Mekhi Robbins, Ryan Sabatella, Katie Lynn Scholtz, Conner Sheruda, Xander Szewczyk, Morgan Tullio, Alexandra Walko, Devin Walsh, Zachary Wilson, Aiden Wolak and Nathan Zarnowski.
Honor roll: Nathaniel Bates, Collin Birtel, Xavier Caldero, Kadyn Cianfichi, Victoria Cooke, Marissa Cost, Zachary Davis, Bradley Desmarais, Kierstyn Ganz, Aidan Gnall, Destiny Hallock, Preston Hasenzahl, Vincenzo Iacavazzi, Zachary Kalinoski, Joseph Kalinowski, Austin Kish, Jayson Lowe, Gianna Magliocchi, Makenzi McDermott, Abigail Merrifield, Abbey Miller, Michael Novak, Jacqueline Pinto, Avery Rebar, Lexee Risner, Lucas Risner, Jacob Scott, Gavin Shaffer, Liv Shumski, Madison Smith, Emma Tonart, Brian Torres and Daniella Troia.
LACKAWANNA TRAIL JUNIOR-SENIOR
HIGH SCHOOL
GRADE 12
High honors: Lauren R. Baldwin, Anthony C. Berrios, Kelly A. Bird, Cassandra R. Brown, Ashleigh M. Clarke, Liam Dana, Colin S. Domnick, Gregory J. Ellsworth, Jaclyn Fusik, Grace M. Gallagher, Justin Giannotti, Nicole Hagler, Joseph T. Kubilus, Madison C. Lee, Miah Nunez, Ethan P. Oswald, Mikayla R. Otto, Madisyn Peoples, Elizabeth M. Rodenbach, Rachael P. Rosengrant, Mackenzie S. Semken, Allison D. Strauch, John D. Thomas, Robert G. Titus, Brenden S. Tobin and Sarah L. Weisenfluh.
Honors: Holden Aylesworth, Natalie A. Cocchini, Connor S. Crock, Alyssa Fiehl, Rachel Lehman, Isabella Leschingski, John A. Maier, Gina Merritt, M. Lyn Nelson, Troy Pensak, Daniella Pisanti, Nicholas A. Price, Hunter C. Reynolds, Amber L. Roberts, Marcus M. Ross, Ronnie J. Traver and Sabrina L. VonAhrens.
GRADE 11
High honors: Allyssa Artley, Rachel Aschenbrenner, Lauren E. Beemer, Timothy A. Cole, Heidi Davis, Allison J. Decker, Lydia Dunckle, Courtney Dwyer, Alaina B. Jones, Shawn D. Jones, Annika L. Kongvold, Alexandra Kwiatkowski, Brooke L. Lamberti, Carolyn M. Mack, Lili T. Martin, Allison R. Melnikoff, Samantha L. Morgan, Laurelann M. Penn, Danielle L. Petrilak, Jennifer Price, Eva Rappenglueck, Kathleen G. Rodenbach, Ami L. Sohns, Mikayla M. Stuenzi, Nicholas VanFleet, Breanna E. Wood, Jessica L. Zajac and Lauren Zotta.
Honors: Karley B. Cresswell, Olivia R. Dodgson, Andrew C. Faist, Robert Jaquez-Lambert, Ryan D. Mercer, Arent O. Moore, Deenna Richmond and Angel M. Roberts.
GRADE 10
High honors: Rachael Beemer, Noah Coleman, Jordan Edwards, Cali Fauquier, Jakob Fusik, Kiana Grella, Emma Hawthorne, Emily Herron, Sarah Kinback, Jared Klepadlo, Morgan Krzywicki, Anastasia J. Rivenburg, Nathan Rolka, Joshua Rosengrant, Samantha Schur and Zachary Stec.
Honors: Samantha Baltrusaitis, Tyler Carleo, Avanna Czarkowski, Chantal M. Earl, Alyssa Fowler, Madisyn P. Gillespie, Samantha A. Kostick, Dakota Moyle, Colin Mulhern, Serena A. Myers and Kevin Thorne.
GRADE 9
High honors: Nico V. Berrios, Willoughby A. Burnell, Timothy Caulden, Richard E. Cocchini, Abigail J. Dalton, Emily G. Dalton, Alexia W. Deutsch, Mark C. Dunckle, Amanda J. Haft, Madeline R. Huggler, Paige E. Hyde, Isabella Jagoe, Victoria James, Brianna I. Jenkins, Alec R. Jones, Mikenna M. Lee, Seamus O. Nichols, Ethan P. Palaskas, Clare Raser, Richard A. Rodenbach, Elizabeth S. Rothwell, Rachel E. Saxton, Owen A. Scioscia, Joshua M. Semken, Cole P. Shirk, Alyssa F. Slocum, Elonna M. Spencer, Monica J. Stuenzi, Allison K. Swanchak, Madison E. Swanchak, Connor S. Tobin, Taylor M. Townsend, Liam Trunk, Virginia L. VanFleet, Kilar Wallace and Katelin M. Walton.
Honors: Luke W. Baldwin, Stephanie Collett, Victoria Fiorini, Damian M. Howard, Michael Jacoby, Shyanne Lewis, Camiryn L. Peoples, Nicholas Pisanti, Christopher J. Purdy, Aubre-Anna T. Sanko, Austin W. Sanko and Madison P. Williams.
GRADE 8
High honors: Charles Austin, Paige Carpenter, Bella Charnecki, Isabella Coleman, Emma Corby, Janelle Dannecker, William Edwards, Morgan Faist, Mia Familetti, Celia Fortney, Taylor Kilmer, Kassidy Kostick, Zackary Kwiatkowski, Danielle Lamberti, Catherine Litwin, Elizabeth Litwin, Ashtyn Mecca, Ray Melnikoff, Madison Norman, Kyle Petrilak, Hannah Purdy, Margaret Reppa, Nikki Rosiak, Kayla Ross, John Sharpe IV, Lilly Trunk, Tyton Vokes, Abigail Wilson and Anna Wohlgemuth.
Honors: Caleb Earl, Mckenzie Edwards, Matthew Ganly, Bradyn Genello, John-Patrick Gilroy, Mason Grella, Brycen Hoffman, Madison Lawrence-Merolla, Leah Levan, Grace Pawlukovich, Matthew Petrilak, Daisy Petty, Ethan Ritter, Olivia Rosengrant, Jianna Stork, Madalyn Toth, Korrine White and Jacob Whiteduck.
GRADE 7
High honors: Michael C. Bluhm, Mauriana G. Castellano, Emily A. Chermak, Kody R. Cresswell, Alan J. Deutsch, Keith J. Dixon, George W. Duffy, Miles C. Edwards, Abigail R. Fahey, Sofia Flores-Weidner, Megan Gatto, Joselyn Gonzalez Medina, Annabelle R. Gumble, Cole G. Henry, Scott Jennings, Adam R. Jones, Dariane E. Jones, Marissa A. Keyes, John J. Long, Maggie P. Martin, Michael Measley, Kamryn E. Mercer, Emma E. Oswald, Josephine E. Paolucci, Jackson C. Pieretti, Lane P. Prutzman, Makenna Ratchford, Cora Rivera, Matthew J. Schirg, Robert J. Schirg, Jordan M. Spencer, Caleb M. Stuenzi, Samantha A. Thomas, Nathan A. Wescott, Maria E. Wetzel, Natalie E. Whitney, Coleman Wohlken and Mason W. Zajac.
Honors: Jacob Basile, Tiana R. Bradley, Corey K. Burns, Brycen J. Decker, Faith E. Dewey, John J. Halter, Colin P. Kwiatkowski, Cadence M. Lusk, Cole D. Patterson, Victoria E. Pensak, Halie Rowles, Cheyanne Stacknick, Amaralis Thiel and Kevin A. VanLuvanee.
Say this for Honda Motors: The company does things its own way.
Its engineers and designers seem to approach each automotive market segment with a mindset that asks not how the others do it, but, “How do we do it?”
The results can be interesting and surprising. From the functional CR-V to the surprisingly versatile Fit, Honda has earned a reputation for solidly built vehicles that satisfy the daily driver’s needs in ways maybe they didn’t expect.
One such product was the original Ridgeline pickup truck, a vehicle that followed the honored cab-and-bed pick’em-up profile but stood apart with respect to its exterior lines, car-based unibody construction and independent four-wheel suspension. It might have lacked the heavy-duty workhorse grunt of traditional pickups in some ways, but not every truck buyer needs that sort of thing on a regular basis.
Last seen in Honda showrooms as a 2014 model, the Ridgeline took a three-year break and has returned as a slightly larger and more traditional-looking truck. Notable changes include a more powerful V-6 engine, a larger bed area with an innovative two-way-hinged tailgate that swings either down or sideways, and a lockable, integrated storage bin under the bed.
There are seven trim levels — RT, RTS, Sport, RTL, RTL-T, RTL-E and Black Edition — that all are powered by a 3.5-liter V-6 making a rated 280 horsepower and 262 foot-pounds of torque and equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission. The first five trim packages can be fitted with either a standard FWD (another change from earlier Ridgelines) or optional full-time AWD systems; RTL-E and Black Edition models are AWD-only. Note: There’s no low-speed transfer case here, so off-roading options are somewhat limited.
Pricing for the 2017 Ridgeline starts at $29,475 for a base RT FWD sample featuring standard goodies like 18-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, a receiver hitch, a seven-speaker sound system, dash-mounted LCD touchscreen infotainment interface with rearview camera display, and a push-button ignition with automatic door and tailgate locks. The asking price spirals upward to $42,970 for the fully loaded, leather-lined Black Edition.
Honda provided the penultimate version of Ridgeline for our weeklong perusal. The silver RTL-E wore a $42,270 window-sticker and included a long list of standard amenities, including an array of safety systems (adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, forward-collision warning, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert), leather upholstery, an 8-inch touch-screen display with satellite navigation, LED headlights, power sunroof, heated steering wheel, heated outside mirrors, power-sliding rear window, upgraded audio, power-adjustable front seating with driver’s seat memory, a 120-volt outlet and more.
The 2017 model’s exterior lines are more squared off and plumb than the previous version, yielding a vehicle that’s less funky-looking at the expense of being unique. In short, the new Ridgeline won’t be mistaken for anything other than a truck.
The ride, however, is anything but trucklike. The chassis and suspension system combine with the free-spinning V-6 and quick-shifting transmission to deliver a quiet, smooth and comfortable ride quality. Handling is precise and nimble for a truck.
The cabin is well-organized, with clearly marked and easy-to-read instrumentation and gauges. The speedometer’s digital display delivers information quickly and clearly, although I (like others) think Honda could and should improve the infotainment system’s tiny touch-screen buttons.
One hiccup that occurred during the Ridgeline’s visit: The engine refused to turn over when the starter button was pressed and brake pedal depressed. The auxiliary power systems all fired up, but no engine. Putting this down to a computer glitch, I got out, locked and then unlocked the doors, got in and — bingo! — the engine fired up as expected. Like any computer, sometimes you just have to reboot the system.
Front-seat occupants are treated to plenty of leg, hip, shoulder and head room. The rear bench’s relative lack of legroom is a reminder that this is not a full-size crew-cab truck.
Its truest competitors are midsizers like the Toyota Tacoma, Nissan Frontier and Chevy Colorado/GMC Canyon.
In addition to the truck bed, there’s a broad, flat storage area under the rear seats that will accommodate larger items. Towing capacity is 5,000 pounds for AWD models and 3,500 for FWD models.
2017 Honda Ridgeline AWD RTL-E
Vehicle type: Four-door, five-passenger, midsize AWD pickup truck.
Base/as-tested prices: $41,370/$42,270.
Engine and transmission: 3.5-liter V-6, 280 horsepower, 262 foot-pounds torque, six-speed automatic.
EPA estimates: 18 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, 21 mpg combined.
The good: Completely redesigned; powerful and free-spinning V-6 engine; car-based unibody construction and independent suspension system deliver remarkably smooth ride quality for a midsize pickup; thoughtful and functional interior; available FWD and AWD configurations; roomy interior for a midsizer; easy-access rear cargo bed with two-way tailgate and integrated lockable storage bin; promise of Honda reliability.
The bad: Smallish back seats don’t offer much legroom when front seat is slid rearward; one-time computer glitch that affected the push-button starter system; maximum 5,000-pound towing capacity is for AWD models only.
Bottom line: After a three-year hiatus, the new and improved Ridgeline delivers an enticing combination of truck utility and carlike ride and comfort.
The Scranton Sewer Authority on Friday approved payment of $2.3 million in various bills, including capital and operating costs and legal fees.
The board, including Scranton members Michael Parker, Kevin Whelan, Patrick Hughes and Larry Boccadori, and Dunmore member Michael Dempsey, took the following actions Friday at a monthly meeting:
• Voted 3-0-2, with new members Dempsey and Boccadori abstaining, to approve payment of $1.7 million in capital costs incurred before the Dec. 29 closing of the sale of the sewer system serving Scranton and Dunmore to Pennsylvania American Water Co. A list of 62 invoices from various engineering and consulting firms are paid out of a post-closing, wind-down escrow.
• Voted 4-1, with Dempsey abstaining, to approve payment of $482,678 in operating expenses. Most bills on a list of 116 invoices involved vendors or suppliers of various items. Some of these invoices came from legal firms, including a Feb. 14 bill of $40,919 from the Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney law firm, a counsel in the sewer-sale transaction; a Feb. 7 bill of $25,368 from former authority solicitor Paul Walker; a Jan. 20 bill of $14,962 to Cummings Law LLC, a firm of Dunmore solicitor Thomas Cummings; and a Jan. 23 bill of $39,866 from Chiesa, Shahinian & Giantomasi of West Orange, New Jersey, a law firm of Henry Amoroso, whose HJA Strategies firm has been a financial consultant to the city of Scranton, brought on board by Mayor Bill Courtright at the start of his term in 2014. These bills also were paid out of the wind-down escrow.
• Voted 5-0 to approve payment of $93,264 in two legal bills related to a pending class-action lawsuit filed by some residents against the authority over an issue of sewer-line easements. These two invoices consist of a Feb. 8 bill of $90,802 from Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney; and a Jan. 30 bill of $2,461 from Greco Law Associates, a firm of a former SSA solicitor, Carl Greco.
• Voted 4-1, with Dempsey abstaining, from Jan. 23, the day he began in this post, to Friday. One of those actions involved paying a $15,000 severance payment to former SSA Executive Director Eugene Barrett. This severance had been approved by the authority in a payment-of-bills action Jan. 20.
Dempsey and Boccadori cited being new to the board as their reasons for abstentions.
Marie Schumacher and Joan Hodowanitz, both of Scranton, the only residents to attend the meeting, asked questions and expressed concerns about the closing, its costs and continued existence of the authority during an open-ended, wind-down period.
“I’m as surprised as anyone else that the sewer authority lives on, and on, and on,” Hodowanitz said. “Can you give the public a sense, is there a light at the end of the tunnel?”
“We don’t know at this point,” Shrive said, noting the authority will continue to exist to handle pending litigation.
Contact the writer:
jlockwood@timesshamrock.com @jlockwoodTT on Twitter